Global trade tensions are expected to keep global stock markets under pressure. On Thursday, European stock markets opened lower over reports that the US-China trade talks have stalled for now.

Asian stock markets also traded lower after Japan’s exports and manufacturers’ business confidence declined, according to latest reports released earlier today. NIKKEI225 lost 1% of its value over the release of this data.

The US earnings season also remains in focus with leading companies like Danske Bank, Novartis, Publicis and SAP due to release their earnings reports today. In addition, European stock markets will also focus on UK’s retail sales data due to release later today.