Economic calendar: Jobless claims and US natural gas storage report

• European indices launch session flat

• Jobless claims and US natural gas storage report

• Market odds for 50 bp FOMC rate hike in March drop

European stock market indices launched today's cash trading session little changed compared to yesterday' closing levels. This comes after a mixed trading on Wall Street yesterday and in Asia today. Powell said during the second of his congressional semiannual hearings that while inflation is dropping, it will stay elevated for some time and recent policy moves are yet to impact real economy. Those comments made market odds for a 50 bp rate hike at the next FOMC meeting drop.

Economic calendar for the day ahead is light, allowing investors to catch a breath after Powell and before the NFP report. Weekly jobless claims data and EIA natural gas storage report are the only noteworthy readings scheduled for today. While jobless claims data is unlikely to trigger any major moves, EIA report may trigger some NATGAS volatility. Speeches from central bankers may offer some FX volatility in the afternoon.

1:30 pm GMT - US, jobless claims. Expected: 195k. Previous: 190k

3:30 pm GMT - EIA report on US natural gas storage. Expected: -76 bcf. Previous: -81 bcf

Central bankers' speeches

• 1:15 pm GMT - BoE Breeden

• 3:00 pm GMT - Fed Barr

• 2:00 pm GMT - NBP Chairman Glapiński

• 6:45 pm GMT - BoC Rogers