What we should know before the opening bell in Europe

Asian markets were trading with a fall today. Japan's Nikkei fell by 0.35 as the yen lost strength against the dollar.

European markets are expected to open slightly higher this morning. British UK100 is expected to open 6 points up to 7367, the German DAX up by 22 points to 12222, while the French CAC 10 points increase to 5072.

In oil markets rose by 2% because of reduced inventories in the US that were much less than expected. Growing increase in inventories in the US in the recent weeks, were pulling the price of black gold down.

Corporate news
Toyota – plans to recall 2.9 vehicles amid airbag safety fears
Volkswagen – the firm said US regulators will allow it to restart selling 2015-model diesel vehicles
ConocoPhillips – sells oil and gas assets worth $13.3bn to Cenovus
London Stock Exchange – experts tell the BBC's Radio 4 it could be a target for a US takeover following its failed merger with Deutsche Boerse

Economic Data:
10:00 – Eurozone consumer confidence (March)
13:00 – German preliminary consumer price index (March)
13:30 – US GDP (annual)
13:30 – US core personal consumption expenditures (fourth quarter)

Read more:

• Risk off after the escalation in the Middle East, markets are recovering in a period of calm
• The macroeconomic events for today’s trading calendar
• The US government has confirmed the attacks, Trump is calling an emergency staff meeting
• Has the war between Iran and the US started?
• US markets remain under pressure, traders await Iran’s response