EUROPEAN FUTURES MUTED AS CENTRAL BANK BONANZA LOOMS (0722 GMT)
European shares are set for a muted start to Wednesday, though the mood permeating markets is anything but ahead of the outcome of the Fed's two-day meeting later on, euro zone inflation data and more earnings.
EuroSTOXX50 index futures are ticking up a tiny 0.05%, ahead of a day that could see the world's largest economy begin hinting at an end to interest rate hikes.
The Fed's meeting will precede decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England - both due on Thursday.
Euro zone inflation data is expected to be a market-mover today, due for release at 1000 GMT, and earnings are also continuing to pour in. Spain's BBVA said its fourth quarter net profit rose 17.6% from the same quarter in 2021 while Swiss drugmaker Novartis predicted that core operating income would grow in a "mid single digit" percentage range in 2023. In other corporate news, higher global raw material and logistics costs have pushed German automaker BMW to raise suggested retail prices for some models sold in China.
Veteran Hollywood producer Peter Chernin and French TV production group Banijay's parent
have expressed interest in UK broadcaster ITV's Studios, the maker of hit show "Love Island",
sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
(Lucy Raitano)
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