Europe to Digest Trumps Comments on the Dollar

The financial markets in Europe are set to open today as traders are digesting comments made by President Donald Trump to the Wall Street Journal. He would prefer the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates low and said the US Dollar was “too strong.”

As of 7:25 am London time, stock futures on the FTSE 100 were down 15 points. Futures in Germany were down 33 points and futures in France were down 12 points.

Today, the economic calendar is a bit full. The United Kingdom will release its quarterly economic survey later this morning. The report is expected to show solid economic growth was likely in the first three months of the year. The report will also, in all likelihood, cite rising inflation in the United Kingdom as a key risk thanks to Brexit.

Later in the day, during North American trade hours, the International Energy Agency (IEA) publish its monthly oil market report.

Europe to eye Regional Politics

Investors in Europe, are also eying regional political developments. Russian President Vladimir Putin will be holding his annual televised call-in show in which he takes questions from people around the country for several hours.

In Turkey, are getting ready to vote in a referendum. This referendum is on constitutional reforms, happening on Sunday. If successful this vote could transfer unprecedented executive powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Also of concern are the ongoing tensions between North Korea and the United States. The US is sending an aircraft carrier battle group to the region in response to the hermit country’s recent ballistic missile tests.