index was up 0.07% in early deals, with the majority of sectors in the green. Telecom and insurance stocks led gains, both up around 0.4%, while tech fell 0.8%.Euro zone inflation data due later in the session will by closely watched by investors for a signal on the path for monetary policy.Regional markets closed higher Thursday, shaking off negative sentiment from the previous two sessions as rising bond yields weighed on investor sentiment.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 was last seen down 2 points at 8,230, Germany's DAX 48 points lower at 18,463, and France's CAC down 9 points at 7,967. Italy's MIB was seen slipping 13 points to 34,486.CNBC Pro: 'Many happy returns': Barclays names 2 global stocks it says has over 100% upside to play right now Investment bank Barclays is bullish on European stocks thanks in large part to"solid earnings beats and uptick in EPS " in the first quarter.
"Overall, margins are resilient, capital returns are strong, firms are optimistic and EPS revisions have picked up. Cyclicals are seeing more upgrades, but defensives have outperformed in the recent rally," the analysts wrote, naming two stocks with over 100% upside potential to play right now.The artificial intelligence boom is fueling demand for power, with many tech companies rapidly developing infrastructure as they compete for dominance.
Against that backdrop, the bank introduced what it called its power and electricity basket of stocks, comprising 50 stocks across China, South Korea, Taiwan, India and Australia.Donald Trump