European markets set for cautious open as investors focus on geopolitics, trade
European markets looked set for a cautious open Tuesday as investors monitor the fallout from the weekend’s Saudi oil attacks.
The FTSE 100 was seen around 5 points lower at 7,316, the DAX was expected to slip around 5 points lower to 12,375 and the CAC 40 was seen nudging 1 point down to 5,601, according to IG data.
Oil prices pared some of Monday’s massive gains on Tuesday morning after the U.S. signaled intent to release crude reserves, but the lingering threat of military confrontation kept investor confidence relatively low.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that it was likely Iran was behind the attacks on oil plants, expected out 5% of global crude supply, but stressed that he did not want to go to war. Iran has rejected U.S. charges it was behind the attacks, while President Hassan Rouhani suggested it was a reciprocal response from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said on Monday that deputy-level talks between the world’s two largest economies are set to start in Washington on Thursday, paving the way for high-level talks in October intended to resolve the drawn out trade war.
Stocks in Asia traded mostly lower Tuesday as sentiment remained cautious amid the geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.
Back in Europe, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday avoided a press conference with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel amid loud protests, Johnson had said a Brexit deal was emerging, but the EU insisted Johnson had still offered nothing to break the impasse between the two on the controversial Irish backstop.
Johnson also faces a legal challenge in Britain’s top court this week, after Scottish judges ruled that his decision to suspend parliament until October 14 was unlawful.
In corporate news, shares of Airbus and French luxury goods importers tumbled on Monday after the World Trade Organization (WTO) approved a U.S. request to impose tariffs on European goods, amid a long-standing battle over aircraft subsidies
Italy’s industry ministry has postponed the deadline for the delivery of a rescue plan for Alitalia to October 15, meaning loss-making carrier will remain in special administration.
German lighting group Osram Licht has advised shareholders to accept a 4.3 billion euro ($4.8 billion) bid for the company from Austrian chipmaker AMS.
On the data front, German economic sentiment and current conditions surveys for September are due for release at 10:00 a.m. London time, along with euro zone survey expectations.
Source: CNBC
