European equity markets were set to open higher on Thursday, following gains in global stocks after a strong earnings report from Micron Technology bolstered optimism about the artificial intelligence sector. Sentiment was further lifted by progress in US-Iran peace efforts, which pushed oil prices back to pre-conflict levels, easing inflation concerns and reducing pressure on central banks to raise interest rates.
In Europe, investors will be watching consumer confidence data from Germany and France, as well as Spain’s final first-quarter GDP figures. The corporate earnings calendar remains relatively light, with no major results scheduled for release. In premarket trade, Euro Stoxx 50 futures were up 0.3%, while Stoxx 600 futures added 0.2%.
