LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: slightly higher as Middle East tension flares

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: SLIGHTLY HIGHER AS MIDDLE EAST TENSION FLARES

European share futures were slightly higher ahead of Wednesday's open, supported by a dip in oil prices, as investors grappled with the extent to which the Israel-Iran air war would affect markets, and for how long.

Euro stoxx 50 futures were up around 0.1%, with contracts tracking French and British blue chip indexes, both with exposure to oil stocks, up nearly 0.2%. STXEc1, FCEc1, FFIc1

Brent was down 0.7% on the day at $75.9 a barrel, certainly elevated compared to recent standards - it dipped below $60 dollars last month, but not yet passing pain thresholds for many companies.

In terms of corporate news, there isn't too much out there. Probably the stand-out is that Airbus AIR.PA raised the upper range of its dividend payout target ahead of a business update on Wednesday.

(Alun John)