The DAX Futures is trading at 12,577.50 up with +0.36% percent or  +44.50 point .The FTSE 100 Futures is trading at 7,600.50  with a loss of -0.06% percent or -4.50 point. The CAC 40 Futures is trading at 5,437.69 up with  +0.16% percent or  +8.49 point .  The EURO Stoxx 50 Futures is trading at 3,456.00 up with +0.23% percent or +8.00 point.

TODAY’S FACTORS AND EVENTS

European equity markets held their own this week, and the DAX and the CAC indexes have shown little movement over the week. Still, the trading tensions hovering in the air have many investors wondering if this is the calm before the storm. On Tuesday, the Trump administration said it was considering imposing tariffs on some $200 billion in Chinese goods, which would be a significant escalation in the trade war between the two economic giants. China has promised to respond with “firm and forceful measures”, but hasn’t provided any details. With neither side showing any flexibility, the markets could be heading for stormy waters if China retaliates.

PREVIOUS DAY ACTIVITY

For the day Germany’s DAX closed at 12,589.78 up with +0.39% percent or +49.05 point.the FTSE 100 closed at 7,652.90  with a loss of  -0.12% percent or -8.97 point. France’s CAC 40 closed at 5,435.38 up with +0.11% percent or +6.18 point.

WORLD MARKETS

For the day the Dow is trading at 25,019.41 up with +0.38% percent or +94.52 point. The S&P 500 is trading at 2,801.31 up with +0.11% percent or +3.02 point. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 7,825.98 up with +0.026% percent or +2.06 point.

In other parts of world, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is trading at 22,597.35 up with +1.85% percent or +409.39 point. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading at 28,533.61 up with +0.029% percent or +8.17 point. China’s Shanghai Composite is trading at 2,814.04 with  a loss of -0.61% percent or -17.14 point. India’s BSE Sensex is trading at 36,487.65  with  a loss of -0.15% percent or -53.98 point at 12:15 PM.