Live Markets: Before the bell: European futures flat, metals shine
14/01/2026 07:55
Adds blog post Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com BEFORE THE BELL: EUROPEAN FUTURES FLAT, METALS SHINE European shares were set for a flat start on Wednesday, with major indices hovering near peak levels, while a record-breaking rally in Japan's Nikkei and further gains in precious metals on lingering geopolitical uncertainty dominated markets. Futures on the EuroSTOXX 50, DAX and FTSE indices were flat to slightly higher, while U.S. contracts eased about 0.2% after losses the day before, when concerns over a proposed cap on credit‑card rates offset JPMorgan's JPM.N earnings beat. Later in the session, earnings from Citigroup C.N, Bank of America BAC.N and Wells Fargo WFC.N are due, along with U.S. producer price data and a possible Supreme Court ruling on global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. In European corporate news, drugmaker Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO is again exploring "big or small" deals to boost its obesity portfolio after losing out to Pfizer in a bidding war for Metsera, its CEO said in a Bloomberg interview. Luxury stocks could come under pressure after high-end department store conglomerate Saks Group filed for bankruptcy late on Tuesday. Airline Lufthansa LHAG.DE could be hit by a downgrade to underweight at Barclays, while shipping firm Maersk MAERSKb.CO was cut to sell at Goldman Sachs. Fresnillo FRES.L could surge to yet another record high as silver crossed $90 for the first time. Citi raised its target on the stock to 4,600 pence, a 21% upside from current levels. BP BP.L expects to book $4-5 billion in impairments in Q4, mainly related to its energy transition businesses (Danilo Masoni) ***** EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS TURBOCHARGED 'TAKAICHI TRADE' PUTS MARKETS ON YEN WATCH CLICK HERE