LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: gains ahead on sweet earnings, CPI looms

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: GAINS AHEAD ON SWEET EARNINGS, CPI LOOMS

European stocks are heading for gains at the open, as traders await key U.S. inflation figures for more direction on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path, and keep a watchful eye on any further developments on U.S. tariffs.

EuroSTOXX50 STXEc1 futures are up 0.2%, as are DAX futures FDXc1 while FTSE futures FFIc1 are hovering around flat.

Donald Trump's trade advisers were finalising plans on Wednesday for the reciprocal tariffs the U.S. president has vowed to impose on every country that charges duties on U.S. imports, ratcheting up fears of a widening global trade war.

Siemens Energy reported a record 131 billion euro ($135.5 billion) order book, as increased use of artificial intelligence and global efforts to decarbonise power production have led to a surge in demand for its energy equipment.

Randstad RAND.AS, the world's largest employment agency, reported a quarterly core profit above market expectations,

Dutch brewer Heineken HEIN.AS has surpassed its own guidance range and analyst forecasts to report an 8.3% rise in annual organic operating profit.

(Lucy Raitano)

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