LIVE MARKETS-Europe before the bell: futures lower ahead of U.S. nonfarm payrolls

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES LOWER AHEAD OF U.S. NONFARM PAYROLLS

European futures are trading lower ahead of U.S. nonfarm payrolls, set to wrap up an eventful week that saw the French government collapse and bitcoin surpass $100k.

EuroSTOXX50 STXEc1 futures are off 0.3%, while FTSE futures FFIc1 are down 0.2% and DAX futures FDXc1 are ticking 0.1% lower.

Eyes are still keenly watching French assets, with the risk premium on French 10-year debt over German debt DE10FR10-RR dropping to its lowest since November 21 this morning. French President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a new prime minister in the coming days.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls are due later in the session. A Reuters survey of economists shows expectations of a 200,000 increase after last month, when the economy added just 12,000 jobs in October.

In company news, British insurer Direct Line DLGD.L said it was set to recommend a sweetened 3.61 billion pound ($4.60 billion) cash-and-stock takeover by Aviva AV.L, if the bigger rival makes a formal offer.

Stellantis STLAM.MI has signed an agreement with U.S.-based Zeta Energy to develop cheap lithium-sulphur batteries for electric vehicles.

Swiss building materials maker Holcim HOLN.S said it will list shares in its North American business on the SIX Swiss stock exchange in addition to the planned New York flotation when it is spun off to shareholders next year.

(Lucy Raitano)

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