Before the publication of a series of economic indicators in the eurozone and the United States and on the eve of a weekend that will be marked by the early parliamentary elections in Germany, European stock markets are expected to open close to balance on Friday.

After increasing results last year, the industrial gas specialist Air Liquide indicated on Friday that it expected further growth in its operating margin and its recurring net income in 2025, at constant exchange rates.

The specialist in cryogenic membranes for the transport of liquefied natural gas GTT published sharply higher annual results on Thursday and was confident that its markets would continue to grow in 2025.

The engineering and technology consulting group Alten recorded a decline in its results last year and announced that there was no sign of a resumption of activity so far, although business seemed to be stabilizing.

Credit insurer Coface published higher results for 2024 on Thursday, despite a slight drop in its turnover in an environment of low economic growth and an increase in bankruptcies.

Around 7:40 a.m., the CAC 40 futures contract rose by 0.2%, according to data from broker IG.

While today's macroeconomic agenda is busy, European equity markets are expected to be hesitant at the opening on Friday. According to data from broker IG, the DAX 40 futures contract was almost stable, like the one on the FTSE 100, around

Political news will also catch the attention of investors on Friday, two days before Sunday's federal elections in Germany. The election will be closely monitored as the far-right AfD party is in second place in the polls, behind the Christian Democratic Party CDU. The president of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, is thus well placed to become the next chancellor, but discussions to form a government coalition could last weeks or even

While managing to reduce its losses at the end of the session, the New York Stock Exchange closed in the red on Thursday after Walmart's unwelcome quarterly results.

held back by Walmart shares (-6.5%) and banking stocks, the Dow Jones (DJIA) lost 1%, to 44,176.65 points. The expanded S&P 500 index ended up down 0.4% to 6,117.52 points, after setting a second historical record in a row the day before. The Nasdaq Composite, rich in technological stocks, fell by 0.5% to 19,962.36

In Asia, the Shanghai Composite gained 0.7% at the end of trading on Friday, while the Hang Seng rose 3.3% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

The 10-year US Treasury bond yield was down about 2 basis points, to 4.49%, around 7:40am. That of the two-year title also lost 2 basis points, to 4.27%

The greenback gained 0.6% against the Japanese currency, at 150.47 yen. Around 7:40 a.m., the euro rose by 0.1% to 1.0494 dollars.

The April contract for soft light crude (WTI) listed on Nymex lost 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $72.34 per barrel. The one at the same maturity on North Sea Brent traded in London sold 12 cents, or 0.2%, to 76.36 dollars per barrel, around 7:40am