Europe Asia News

According to analysts, the UK’s FTSE 100 Index is set to open up 0.2%, while Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC and Italy’s FTSE MIB indices are also expected to open with gains of at least 0.2%.

Markets will also focus on a range of economic data, including manufacturing PMI figures for the Eurozone, the UK, France, Germany and Italy, as well as Eurozone money supply data.

Among the data to be released today is the UK National House Price Index, although no major earnings are expected. In pre-market trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures fell by around 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.

Investors continue to look for new catalysts by focusing on the outlook for U.S. interest rates in an environment where geopolitical developments remain in the background.

Across Europe, the Stoxx 600 index rose by around 16% in 2025, supported by gains in banking stocks and increased regional defense spending, marking its third consecutive year of gains.

In Asia-Pacific trading, South Korea’s Kospi index rose to a new record high, while other markets, including Japan and mainland China, remained closed due to holidays.

Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures rose in the early European hours. S&P futures, Nasdaq-100 futures and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were last seen up at least 0.3%.