European markets set to open broadly higher as U.S. government shutdown ends

LONDON — European stocks are expected to follow their global counterparts higher on Thursday as the U.S. government shutdown came to an end.

The U.K.’s FTSE index is seen opening a touch above the flatline, Germany’s DAX 0.4% higher and France’s CAC 40 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 0.25%, respectively, according to data from IG.

Asia-Pacific shares mostly rose and U.S. stock futures ticked higher overnight after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill into law, effectively ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

The measure, which will fund government operations through the end of January, was passed by the House of Representatives earlier Wednesday night in a 222-209 vote.

Investors in Europe will be keeping an eye on earnings reports from Siemens, Deutsche Telekom, Enel, Merck, Aviva and Alstom, among others.

Data releases include preliminary third quarter U.K. GDP figures and European Union industrial production data.

— CNBC’s Dan Mangan and Emily Wilkins contributed to this market report.