Europe looks at a Higher Open this Morning

The futures for the stock bourses in Europe are pointing to a higher open, as of 7:20 am London time. Investors are digesting new remarks from US President Donald Trump promising to slash financial sector regulations.

The futures on the FTSE 100 are currently up 18 points. Futures in Germany are up 14 points and stock futures in France point to an 11 point higher open.

Investors are also preparing for the upcoming summit between US President Trump and his counterpart in China. Trade will be at the top of their discussions as well as relations with North Korea. On Wednesday, the hermit nation conducted yet another ballistic missile test. The missile landed in the Sea of Japan.

The financial markets in Europe are also digesting a recent promise by President Trump to reduce regulations in the financial sector. Trump stated, on Tuesday, “to do a major haircut on Dodd-Frank.” Dodd-Frank is a set of rules that were introduced in the wake of the financial crisis.

Europe eyes French elections and Oil

French presidential candidates had their second televised debate last night. The independent frontrunner Emmanuel Macron clashed, rather strongly, with the far-right leader Marine Le Pen over the European Union.

Looking at the commodity markets, the price of oil moved higher in Asian trade hours. US WTI crude was up nearly 0.7percent to $51.38 per barrel. The international benchmark Brent was up 0.57 percent this morning to$54.48 per barrel.

As far as the economic calendar is concerned, the Eurozone is releasing recent PMI service data for the month of March at 9:00 am London time.