LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: positive earnings lift the mood

Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: POSITIVE EARNINGS LIFT THE MOOD

European shares are heading for a positive open as a raft of positive earnings lifts the mood, while traders keep an eye on US-Iran talks.

The Euro STOXX 50 futures STXEc1, DAX FDXc1 and FTSE FFIc1 futures are all adding 0.3%.

Britain's biggest defence contractor BAE Systems BAES.L reported a better-than-expected 12% rise in full-year operating profit.

Swiss bank EFG International EFGN.S reported a 1% increase in full year net profits, while Europe's largest food retailer Carrefour CARR.PA has vowed to grow its cash and full year profits.

London-listed mining giant Glencore however has posted lower earnings.

In company news, Bayer BAYGn.DE said on Tuesday its Monsanto unit had reached an agreement worth as much as $7.25 billion to resolve tens of thousands of current and future lawsuits claiming that its Roundup weedkiller caused cancer.

Meanwhile the UK posted a fairly cool inflation print. And market watchers are waking up to news that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde plans to leave her job early, according to an FT report on Wednesday.

(Lucy Raitano)

FOR WEDNESDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

GENEVA TALKS, INFLATION IN SPOTLIGHT AMID LUNAR NEW YEAR LULL CLICK HERE