Economic calendar: Biden-Xi phone call in focus

• European stock markets seen opening flat

• Biden-Xi phone call at 1:00 pm GMT

• Fed speakers in the evening

Futures markets point to a more or less flat opening of the European cash session for major blue chips indices from the Old Continent. Solid gains were booked by US indices yesterday and Asian indices today, and overall moods remain upbeat. Nevertheless, war rages on in Ukraine and it remains a massive source of uncertainty. Traders should keep in mind that some risk-off moves may surface ahead of the weekend as investors reduce exposure.

When it comes to the economic calendar there are few releases scheduled for today but neither one tends to have a big impact on the markets. Phone call between Biden and Xi at 1:00 pm GMT is a potential mover as the two leaders are likely to discuss Ukraine and other geopolitical matters. 

9:00 am GMT - Poland, industrial production for February. Expected: 15.1% YoY. Previous: 14.8% YoY

9:00 am GMT - Poland, labor market report for February

• Employment. Expected: 2.2% YoY. Previous: 2.3% YoY

• Wage growth. Expected: 10.0% YoY. Previous: 9.5% YoY

12:30 pm GMT - Canada, retail sales for January.

• Headline. Expected: 2.4% MoM. Previous: -1.8% MoM

• Ex-autos. Expected: 2.2% MoM. Previous: -2.5% MoM

1:00 pm GMT - Biden-Xi phone call

2:00 pm GMT - US, existing home sales for February. Expected: 6.15m. Previous: 6.50m

Central bankers' speeches

• 4:30 pm GMT - Fed Barkin

• 6:00 pm GMT - Fed Evans

• 7:00 pm GMT - Fed Bowman