Economic calendar: GDP reports and survey data

• European equities seen opening slightly higher today

• Japanese PM Abe reportedly plans to resign

• GDP reports from France and Canada

Global equities took a hit ahead of the European session open after reports surfaced saying that Japanese Prime Minister Abe plans to resign. However, according to another, yet unconfirmed report he will serve as a Prime Minister until a successor is found. European indices are seen opening with small gains on the final trading day of the week. French and Canadian GDP as well as US data pack for June are releases to watch today.

8:45 am BST - France, GDP report for Q2 (revision). First release: -13.8% QoQ

1:30 pm BST - US, data pack for June.

• Core PCE inflation. Expected: 1.2% YoY. Previous: 0.9% YoY

• Personal spending. Expected: 1.5% MoM. Previous: 5.6% MoM

• Personal income. Expected: -0.2% MoM. Previous: -1.1% MoM

1:30 pm BST  - Canada, GDP report for June. Expected: 5.6% MoM. Previous: 4.5% MoM

2:05 pm BST - BoE Governor Bailey speaks at Jackson Hole Symposium.

2:45 pm BST - US, Chicago PMI for August. Expected: 52. Previous: 51.9

3:00 pm BST - US, University of Michigan index for August (final). Preliminary readings: 72.8

Noteworthy US earnings

• Big Lots (BIG.US) - before market open