EUROPEAN EQUITY OPEN: Indices add to gains at the open as geopolitical tensions de-escalate; Quiet docket in Europe, Fed minutes eyed

OPEN: European shares build on this week's gains, opening higher amid an apparent easing of geopolitical tensions between Russia/NATO/Ukraine, although Western powers continue to note that they are yet to see tangible evidence of Russian withdrawals from key areas along the Russia/Ukraine border, while there are some suggestions that Russia could have been involved in the cyber event that took place in Ukraine on Tuesday. The docket in Europe is almost empty today, leaving the focus on geopolitics as well as the minutes from the Federal Reserve's January meeting (our preview is here), with traders eying clues on what increment the Fed will hike by in March (likely 25bps), and any strategies about how they will begin to reduce the size of its USD 9trln balance sheet. In micro news, Heineken's earnings noted higher input costs, with some questions around its 2023 margin target, as a result. Meanwhile, Ahold Delhaize posted a strong update for Q4, with strength in its online segment, though opened lower. After hours, we will be looking out for the latest earnings report from Carrefour.

INDICES: At 08:12GMT, Euro Stoxx 50 +0.3%, FTSE 100 -0.0%, DAX 40 +0.3%, CAC 40 +0.4%, FTSE MIB +0.3%, IBEX 35 +0.5%, SMI +0.4%.

NOTE: Our full Newsquawk Daily European Equity Opening News (16/Feb) can be accessed here; additional European Equity News (16/Feb) can be accessed here.

16 Feb 2022 - 08:12- Fixed IncomeGeopolitical- Source: Newsquawk