European equity markets were poised to open lower on Thursday, extending the previous session’s declines. Strong US economic data has intensified inflation concerns and strengthened expectations of further interest rate hikes, driving Treasury yields sharply higher.
Adding to the pressure, a rebound in oil prices is stoking additional inflation risks amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations.
In Europe, investors will focus on fresh data, including the latest German business sentiment survey and French business and consumer confidence figures.
On the corporate front, France’s Schneider Electric has agreed to acquire Bulgarian smart home device maker Shelly Group in a deal valuing the company at about $1.4 billion.
In premarket trading, futures on the Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 were down 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively.
