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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES HIGHER AS CONSUMER HOLDS UP

European equity futures are in an upbeat mood on Friday, trading a touch higher on signs that the consumer is yet to feel any major impact from U.S. import tariffs.

Euro STOXX 50 futures STXEc1 are up 0.4%. Futures on the DAX FDXc1, CAC FCEc1 and FTSE FFIc1 are all up a similar amount.

U.S. retail sales and jobs data on Thursday suggested economic activity was holding up well in the face of tariffs, while early Q2 earnings have remained solid enough.

British luxury brand Burberry BRBY.L said its quarterly comparable store sales fell 1% vs. expectations for a 3% drop, hinting at early signs of a recovery.

Streaming giant Netflix NFLX.O beat earnings estimates and raised its revenue guidance after hours on Thursday.

Looking ahead, markets will be watching the results of the Japanese Upper House election on Sunday, while Friday brings U.S. housing data and University of Michigan sentiment.

(Samuel Indyk)

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