Investing.com - European stock markets are expected to open in a mixed fashion Monday, as investors fret about the global growth outlook amid restrictive monetary policies.
At 02:15 ET (07:15 GMT), the DAX futures contract in Germany traded 0.3% higher, while the FTSE 100 futures contract in the U.K. fell 0.2%.
Weak eurozone economic outlook
The economic outlook for the eurozone took a turn for the worse last week, as the downturn in the region’s business activity accelerated last month, suggesting there is a growing chance of a recession either this year or early next.
This view hasn’t been helped by economic weakness in China, the world’s second largest economy and a major export market for a number of Europe’s major companies.
Data showed China's Singles Day shopping fiesta over the weekend - equivalent to Black Friday sales in the U.S. - recorded only meagre growth, indicating that the country’s consumers still lack confidence.
Investors will be keeping an eye on this week’s U.S.-Sino Presidential meeting, looking for a thawing in the relationship between the two largest economies in the world.
Central bankers in spotlight
Investors also remained concerned about the potential for global central banks to keep interest rates higher for longer as they attempt to combat inflation.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde last week said that rates will stay restrictive at least for several quarters, and her deputy Luis de Guindos is scheduled to speak later today, giving the keynote speech to kick off Euro Finance Week.
Also last week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said officials "are not confident" that interest rates are yet high enough to finish the battle with inflation.
There are a number of Fed officials due to speak during the week, as policymakers weigh any further tightening ahead of their next meeting on Dec. 12-13. Their views will be studied carefully, especially after Moody's (NYSE:MCO) downgraded its outlook for the U.S. sovereign debt rating later Friday.
Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG_p) could cut administrative jobs
The earnings season is starting to slow, but Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG) is likely to be in focus after Handelsblatt reported Monday, citing an internal company podcast, that the German auto giant could cut administrative personnel jobs as part of savings and cost-cutting measures amounting to €10 billion (€1 = $1.0694) by 2026.
Crude starts new week lower
Oil prices retreated Monday, starting the new week on a weak note given persistent concerns over slowing global demand, particularly from China, the world's biggest crude oil importer.
By 02:15 ET, the U.S. crude
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