The DAX Futures is trading at 12,771.50 with a loss of -0.39%  percent or-49.50 point .The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 7,477.50 up with  +0.09% percent or +7.00 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 5,480.50  with a loss of -0.17% percent or -9.50 point .  The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures is trading at 3,486.00   with a loss of -0.31%  percent or -11.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

German and eurozone manufacturing reports were within expectations and continued to point to expansion. Preliminary Flash GDP came in at 0.4%, matching the estimate. In the US, the Federal Reserve will set the benchmark interest rate and release a rate statement.

On the manufacturing front, German and eurozone PMI reports softened in March, but still met expectations. German Manufacturing PMI edged lower to 58.1, matching the forecast. The eurozone release dropped to 56.0, shy of the estimate of 56.2 points. The readings continue to point to expansion in the manufacturing sector, but there is concern as both indicators dropped for a fourth straight month. The markets are hoping that after a sluggish first quarter, eurozone data in Q2 will improve in the second quarter.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY
 
For the day Germany’s DAX closed at 12,802.25  up with +1.51% percent or +190.14 point. the FTSE 100 closed at 7,537.69  with a loss of  -0.077% percent or  -5.84 point. France’s CAC 40 closed at 5,529.22 up with +0.16% percent or +8.73 point. 

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 23,924.98  with a loss of -0.72% percent or -174.07 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,635.67  with a loss of -0.72% percent or -19.13 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,100.90  with a loss of  -0.42% percent or -29.81 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 22,472.78  with a loss of -0.16% percent or -35.25 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 30,329.31   with a loss of  -1.26% percent or -388.52 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 3,100.86  up with +0.64% percent or  +19.68 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 35,094.74 with a loss of -0.23% percent or -82.50  point at 12:15 PM.