Economic calendar: ECB minutes and Powell's speech

• European stock markets expected to open higher

• ECB to release minutes from latest meeting

• Powell to take part in panel discussion on global economy

European stock markets are seen opening higher on Thursday following an upbeat Asian session. FOMC minutes did not provide any mentions of policy tightening that could spook investors and equity markets pushed higher. Traders will be offered minutes from the ECB today. While this release rarely has an impact on the market, one should remember that ECB decided to accelerate PEPP purchases during the latest meeting. Investors will look for details of this decision. Apart from ECB minutes, there is one more important event scheduled for today - Fed Chair Powell will take part in a panel discussion and Q&A session on global economy at 5:00 pm BST.

8:00 am BST - Czech Republic, industrial production for February. Expected: 0.5% YoY. Previous: 0.9% YoY

10:00 am BST - Euro area, PPI inflation for February. Expected: 1.4% YoY. Previous: 0% YoY

12:30 pm BST - ECB minutes

1:30 pm BST - US, jobless claims. Expected: 680k. Previous: 719k

3:30 pm BST - EIA natural gas storage. Expected: 21 bcf. Previous: 14 bcf

5:00 pm BST - Powell takes part in panel discussion and Q&A on global economy