FX.co ★ European Markets Poised for Higher Open

European equity markets were poised to open slightly higher on Friday, supported by a stabilizing global atmosphere following the narrow passage of President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending bill in the US House of Representatives. This development has temporarily reduced uncertainty for investors. The legislation, which includes tax cuts and increased defense spending, has also reignited concerns about potentially exacerbating the already significant US national debt, prompting continued investor caution. Focus in Europe will shift to several crucial economic data releases scheduled for Friday, including UK retail sales, French consumer confidence, and the final reading of Germany’s first-quarter GDP. These figures will be pivotal in shaping expectations for regional economic growth and central bank policy. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures both showed a modest increase of around 0.1%, indicating a tentatively optimistic start to the session.