FX.co ★ European Markets Set for Higher Open

European stock markets are anticipated to open on a positive note on Wednesday, as investors focus on the European Central Bank (ECB) forum in Sintra, Portugal. ECB President Christine Lagarde is expected to deliver a speech, capturing significant market interest. The central bank is projected to implement another interest rate cut in September, especially following recent data illustrating that Eurozone inflation has achieved the ECB's 2% target. This aligns with predictions of sustained monetary easing. In terms of data, attention will be directed towards unemployment statistics from the broader Eurozone, particularly from Spain and Italy. On the corporate front, the session is forecasted to be comparatively subdued, with no major earnings announcements anticipated. In early trading, futures for the Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 have risen by 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively.