LIVE MARKETS-Before the bell: tech charges up, LVMH kicks off earnings

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BEFORE THE BELL: TECH CHARGES UP, LVMH KICKS OFF EARNINGS

European shares were set for a stronger start on Monday with tech leading the way after the U.S. granted exclusions from tariffs on smartphones and PCs, although President Donald Trump warned levies were still likely at some point.

EuroSTOXX50 and FTSE futures rose 1.6-2.4%, while contracts on the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 1.7%, adding to a positive Wall Street close on Friday following soothing Fed comments and just as big banks kicked off the reporting season.

In early Frankfurt trading, Apple AAPL.O shares rose over 6% with other tech heavyweights such as Nvidia NVDA.O and ASML ASML.AS also up.

In Europe, the attention was also on LVMH LVMH.PA which reports its quarterly sales after the close.

In M&A, Wood Group WG.L received a conditional bid proposal from Dubai-based Sidara.

German steel producer Salzgitter SZGG.DE ended talks with a bidding consortium on a possible takeover.

Finally, France's biggest bank BNP Paribas BNPP.PA cut its forecast for the return on invested capital on the acquisition of AXA's asset management arm.

(Danilo Masoni)

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