LIVE MARKETS-Before the bell: European futures dip, Stellantis picks CEO

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BEFORE THE BELL: EUROPEAN FUTURES DIP, STELLANTIS PICKS CEO

European futures pointed to a softer start on Wednesday with traders awaiting for Nvidia NVDA.O earnings to give fresh direction to markets following their recovery from April's tariff shock and recent concerns over U.S. debt.

EuroSTOXX50 contracts fell 0.2% before the cash market open and FTSE futures were little changed.

U.S. futures also pointed to a subdued start on Wall Street after strong gains the day before aided by an unexpected jump in consumer confidence. Nvidia rose 0.8% in early Frankfurt trade.

With the earnings season drawing to a close, corporate news was thin. Automaker Stellantis STLAM.MI will be in focus after picking Italian Antonio Filosa as its new chief executive.

Filosa succeeds Carlos Tavares, who quit the group in December after a sharp drop in profits and sales.

Elsewhere, Soitec SOIT.PA was called down sharply after the semiconductor materials supplier withdrew its targets, following a multi-year slump in automotive and industrial chip demand.

Home improvement retailer Kingfisher KGF.L reported a 1.8% rise in Q1 same store sales, with a strong performance in Britain partially offset by continued weakness in France.

(Danilo Masoni)

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