European markets are seen opening higher Thursday as investors eye oil prices and continue to monitor politics in the region with U.K. elections just a week away. The FTSE 100 is seen higher by 14 points at 7,533; the DAX is set to open up by 9 points at 12,624 and the CAC is believed to start higher by 1 point at 5,284. The European Commission resurfaced plans to integrate the euro zone further on Wednesday as the bloc prepares to fight together during the upcoming Brexit negotiations and makes use of the pro-European momentum in France and Germany. However, investors are watching out for comments from European Central Bank officials, after a Reuters report earlier this week indicated that the central bank will kick off tapering discussions next week. Ewald Nowotny, governor of the National Bank of Austria, said Wednesday that inflation rates might remain low in the long term and the ECB's target is likely to be questioned. Jens Weidmann, from the German Bundesbank is due to speak at 5:00 p.m. London time at the Konstanz Seminar. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is set to announce his decision on a global climate deal on Thursday. Media reports, citing unnamed sources, said he is set to pull out of the Paris agreement. Source: CNBC
