The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 7,562.20  up with +0.09% percent or +7.00 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 6,056.50 up with +0.11% percent or +6.50 point. The DAX Futures is trading at 13,525.00  up with +0.13% percent or +17.80 point. The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures trading at 3,795.88 up with +0.62% percent or +23.32 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

London stocks mainly remained positive by the close on Thursday, amid easing geopolitical tensions, with all eyes on the retail sector after updates from the likes of Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

The FTSE 100 ended the session 0.31% higher at 7,598.12, while the FTSE 250 dipped below the waterline in late trading to finish 0.04% weaker at 21,643.07.

Sterling was last 0.26% weaker against the dollar at $1.3063 and down 0.25% against the euro at €1.1764, after outgoing Bank of England governor Mark Carney struck a dovish tone in a speech at an event on inflation targeting, suggesting that the central bank could cut interest rates soon.

YESTERDAY ACTIVITY

For the day the FTSE 100 closed at 7,598.12  up with +0.31% percent or +23.19  point. France’s CAC  40 closed at 6,042.55 up with +0.19% percent or +11.56 point.Germany’s DAX closed at 13,495.06  up with +1.31% percent or +174.88  point.

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 28,956.90 up with +0.74% percent or +211.81  point. The S&P 500 is trading at 3,274.70  up with +0.67% percent or ++21.65  point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 9,203.43 up with +0.81% percent or +74.18 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 23,850.57   up with +0.47% percent or +110.70  point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 28,626.64 up with +0.23% percent or +65.64 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 3,092.29  with a loss of –0.084% percent or –2.59  point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 41,756.69  up with +0.73% percent or +304.34 point at 12:15 PM.