European equity markets were set for a flat open on Thursday after a strong rally in the previous session, as investors continued to rotate out of technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks into other sectors. The sector shift followed a Democratic sweep in the US midterm elections, which heightened concerns about stricter regulations on data-center development and, at the same time, sent oil prices sharply lower on expectations of renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran conflict.
In the UK, the Bank of England is widely expected to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4%, as policymakers contend with persistent inflationary pressures driven largely by elevated energy costs.
On the corporate front, investors are awaiting earnings reports from several major companies, including Deutsche Telekom, ENGIE, Deutsche Post, Rheinmetall and Commerzbank. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were hovering around the flatline.
