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BEFORE THE BELL: DATA, EARNINGS, POWELL UP NEXT

Another muted start was in store for European stocks on Thursday, with enthusiasm over trade deals fading and traders shifting their focus to how tariff uncertainty is affecting the economy, the corporate outlook and central bank policy.

On deck for later in the day are April's U.S. retail sales and PPI, alongside a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Walmart WMT.N results are also being watched to gauge the impact of trade wars on the U.S. consumer.

In Europe, the earnings season cracked on, with releases from a string of German companies including Siemens, Deutsche Telekom, and Thyssenkrupp. So far Europe Inc has weathered the turbulence sparked by Trump's policies with 60% of companies beating forecasts, but uncertainty remains high.

In M&A, food manufacturer Greencore GNC.L agreed terms to take over UK fresh food provider Bakkavor BAKK.L in a deal valued at 1.2 billion pounds ($1.6 billion).

EuroSTOXX50 and DAX futures fell 0.3%, while FTSE contracts fell 0.1%, little changed after data showed Britain's economy grew by a better-than-expected 0.2% in March from February.

U.S. futures were also a touch lower.

(Danilo Masoni)

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