The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 7,460.80 up with +0.23% percent or +17.30 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 5,635.39  up with 0.53% percent or +29.53 point. The DAX Futures is trading at 12,548.20 with a loss of -0.09% percent or -11.80 point. The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 3,544.00  up with +0.08% percent or +3.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

London stocks were set to rise at the open on Thursday as investors eyed a slew of UK earnings releases and the latest policy announcement from the European Central Bank.

The FTSE 100 was called to open 18 points higher at 7,519.

CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: “Last night’s positive US close looks set to spill over into European markets this morning as shares look to open higher ahead of today’s European Central Bank rate meeting.

“In June the European Central Bank’s decision to keep rates unchanged was significant by virtue of the apparent contradictions between its economic forecasts, when set against its guidance expectations.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day the FTSE 100 closed at 7,518.18   up with +0.22% percent or +16.72 point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 5,644.64 up with +0.69% percent or +38.78 point.Germany’s DAX closed at 12,562.55 up with +0.33% percent or +40.90 point.

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 27,269.97 with a loss of -0.29% percent or -79.22 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,019.56 up with +0.47% percent or +14.09 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 8,321.50 up  with +0.85% percent or +70.10 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 21,756.55   up with +0.22% percent or +46.98 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 28,583.19  up with +0.21% percent or +59.15 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,937.36 up with +0.48% percent or +14.08 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 37,827.23   with a loss of -0.054%percent or -20.42 point at 12:15 PM.