America News Agency

According to analysts, the UK’s FTSE Index is expected to open flat, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 indexes are expected to open up by 0.2 percent each, and Italy’s FTSE MIB index by 0.14 percent.

European markets started the new trading week on a positive note as investors assessed geopolitical developments in Iran and the criminal investigation launched against US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell.

In a statement on Sunday, Powell said the investigation was another attempt by US President Donald Trump to influence the Fed’s monetary policy and that he would not bow to pressure. Powell’s term as chair is set to end in May.

Market watchers are also closely monitoring developments in Iran this week, following the violent crackdown by Iranian authorities on widespread protests in the country.

It is reported that Trump is considering options to take action against Iran, and on Monday said that any country doing business with Iran would face a 25 percent tariff on “all trade with the United States.”

Asia-Pacific markets rose overnight, but US stock futures fell as investors await consumer inflation data and earnings results from major banks. JPMorgan is set to report its earnings on Tuesday.

Consumer price index data are expected to provide a more comprehensive picture of prices following disruptions caused by the prolonged US government shutdown last autumn. According to Dow Jones consensus estimates, economists expect the report to show prices rising by 2.7 percent over the twelve-month period ending in December.

There are no major earnings reports or data releases scheduled in Europe on Tuesday.