LIVE MARKETS-Europe Before the bell: futures struggling for direction

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES STRUGGLING FOR DIRECTION

European equity futures are mixed on Wednesday, most hovering close to unchanged, as a stormy April draws to a close.

The month has been dominated by the trade policy of the White House, but there are signs of a possible easing of tensions on Wednesday, with a deal with unnamed country being touted by Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Still, the optimism around trade is being offset by a worsening economic outlook and evidence that corporates are already feeling the pain of Trump's tariffs.

A clearer picture on the global economy could be painted later with a number of key data releases. First prelim inflation reading from France, Germany and Italy, and growth figures from the euro zone. From the U.S., first quarter GDP and PCE figures are also released.

For now, Euro STOXX 50 STXEc1 futures are little changed. DAX futures FDXc1 are up 0.2%, after the index .GDAXI this week recovered all of its post-Liberation Day losses. CAC FCEc1 and FTSE FFIc1 futures are also eking out a slight gain.

Earnings remain in focus on Wednesday, with reports from Barclays BARC.L, UBS UBSG.S, Equinor EQNR.OL, Soc Gen SOGN.PA, Stellantis STLAM.MI, Mercedes MBGn.DE and Volkswagen VOWG.DE all released since yesterday's close.

(Samuel Indyk)

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