LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: Futures signal higher open

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES SIGNAL HIGHER OPEN

European equity futures point towards a slightly higher open on Friday although most major markets are still set for a negative week, driven by a stuttering tech sector.

Euro STOXX 50 futures STXEc1 are up 0.2%, although the index is down about 0.9% so far this week, heading for a second consecutive weekly fall.

Major equity futures in Frankfurt FDXc1, London FFIc1 and Paris FCEc1 are also a touch higher.

Given a dearth of official U.S. data - today should have brought us the monthly jobs report - investors are paying extra attention to earnings reports and other secondary economic figures.

On the corporate front today, IAG ICAG.L, the British Airways owner and an indicator of transatlantic travel demand, reported a slight increase in third-quarter operating profit.

Meanwhile shares in British media group ITV ITV.L are called to open higher after the company confirmed it was in talks with Comcast's Sky over the potential sale of its media and entertainment unit for 1.6 billion pounds, including debt.

(Samuel Indyk)

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