0655 GMT - Nordic markets are seen opening slightly higher, with IG calling the OMXS30 up 0.1% at around 2746. Leaders of major European economies met in Paris last night and confirmed the need for Europe to increase its defense spending, SEB says in a note. Defense spending will be excluded from the EU's budgetary rules, but given the debt situation in many economies, joint borrowing in some form cannot be ruled out, SEB adds. U.S. markets were closed yesterday but European stock markets rose, largely driven by the defense sector. Stock market futures are currently pointing upwards in the U.S. and a little more sideways in Europe. Geopolitics probably gets the most attention today, as representatives of the U.S. and Russia meet in Saudi Arabia, SEB adds. The OMXS30 closed at 2743.26, OMXN40 at 2609.03 and OBX at 1409.09. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 18, 2025 01:56 ET (06:56 GMT)
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