LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: stocks set to close out strong January in green

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: STOCKS SET TO CLOSE OUT STRONG JANUARY IN GREEN

Major European equity futures are trading higher on Friday as a strong month, that has seen some indexes rise to new records, draws to a close.

The Euro STOXX 50 .STOXX50E is on track for its fourth consecutive weekly rise and is heading for an almost 8% gain in January. Futures STXEc1 are indicating a 0.1% rise on Friday.

It's a similar story for the regional indexes, with Germany's DAX .GDAXI and Britain's FTSE .FTSE both rising to records this month. Futures are pointing to a 0.2% rise for both on Friday.

In corporate news, Novartis NOVN.S shares will be one to watch at the open after the Swiss drug firm reported quarterly adjusted net income well above analyst estimates.

Looking forward, eyes will be on inflation readings from Europe (Germany, France) and the U.S., while the self-imposed Feb. 1 deadline for U.S. President Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada is drawing closer.

Trump on Thursday said he would impose the 25% tariffs to push the two largest U.S. trading partners to take action to halt illegal migrants and shipments of fentanyl from crossing into the U.S.

(Samuel Indyk)

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