LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: Risk on

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: RISK ON

European stocks are set for a decent lift at the open on the first 'proper' trading day of 2026, building on gains earlier in the day in Asia and from last week.

Those of us who were working Friday got to run around debating whether Britain's FTSE 100 passing the symbolic 10,000 point level meant anything -- discussions not helped by it closing below 10,000 -- but it should get back there again at the open.

FTSE futures are up 0.6% FFIc1 and Euro STOXX 50 futures are up 0.7% STXEc1

Weekend developments in Venezuela haven't had much of an effect on markets so far -- more on that in Morning Bid below.

The main transmission mechanism to markets would be via oil, but eavesdropping on oil reporter colleagues preparing for the Reuters Morning Bid podcast -- on all your podcast providers -is that this isn't important in the short term, and while it could be significant longer term, how and in what way, is too soon to tell.

Airline stocks could also be affected, though cold and snowy weather in Europe could also be affecting things there.

There isn't much in the way of specific company news, but that should get going later in the week.

Data wise, PMI data showed China's services activity expanded at its slowest pace in six months in December.

(Alun John)

FOR EARLIER LIVE MARKETS POSTS

MORNING BID: VENEZUELA UPHEAVAL TESTS MARKETS: CLICK HERE