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European stocks are likely to open higher on Friday amid signs the U.S. may avert a looming government shutdown after Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced he’s ready to start the process of considering a Republican-led government funding bill that has fiercely divided Democrats.<\/p>\n
That said, volatility cannot be ruled out in the wake of lingering trade tensions and skepticism about the potential for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. <\/p>\n
As trade tension mount, there are now increased expectations of the Federal Reserve easing monetary policy. <\/p>\n
The U.S. economic calendar remains light, with the University of Michigan’s preliminary report on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations in March likely to garner some attention later in the day. <\/p>\n
Closer home, monthly GDP estimate, industrial production and foreign trade figures from the U.K. are due later in the session.<\/p>\n
Germany has officially introduced a significant infrastructure fund and exempted defense spending above 1 percent of GDP from debt limits. <\/p>\n
The outgoing lower house of parliament will vote on the measures on March 18 before the formation of a new parliament on March 25.<\/p>\n
Asian stocks were mostly higher, with Chinese and Hong Kong markets<\/span> leading regional gains on optimism surrounding China’s advances in artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n The dollar held firm, and the euro pulled further away from a five-month peak following U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalated tariff rhetoric against the European Union. <\/p>\n Treasuries were steady after rallying in the prior session. Gold slipped after hitting a record high on safe-haven demand. <\/p>\n Oil pared weekly losses as the U.S. tightened sanctions against Iran and Russia, helping offset a dour demand forecast from the International Energy Agency.<\/p>\n U.S. stocks tumbled overnight to reach six-month lows as President Trump’s latest tariff threats stoked concerns about the outlook for inflation and economic growth.<\/p>\n In the latest in a long list of tariff threats, Trump said he would impose a 200 percent tariff on all wines, champagnes and alcoholic products coming out of the EU The S&P 500 fell 1.4 percent to enter correction territory, while the Dow dropped 1.3 percent and the S&P 500 shed 1.4 percent.<\/p>\n In economic releases, U.S. producer prices were unexpectedly unchanged in February while weekly jobless claims remained roughly in line with pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n European stocks ended mixed on Thursday following Trump’s comments that reciprocal tariffs on U.S.’ trade partners will take effect next month.<\/p>\n Also, doubts emerged over U.S.-brokered truce in Ukraine as Russian President Putin stressed that any deal must address the root causes of the conflict.<\/p>\n The pan European STOXX 600 slipped 0.2 percent. France’s CAC 40 rose 0.6 percent and the German DAX gained half a percent while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 ended on a flat note. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Business News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
in response to a “nasty” 50 percent tariff on whisky, which was imposed as a counter measure to previous levies announced by the U.S.<\/p>\n