Economic calendar: Flash PMIs from Europe, US holiday

• European markets seen opening higher

• Flash PMIs from Europe

• Holidays in the United States and Canada

European futures markets point to a higher opening of the cash session on the Old Continent today. US and European futures gained on reports that US President Putin may meet with his Russian counterpart Putin soon to discuss the situation around Ukraine. Meanwhile, more reports of continued military build-up near the Russia-Ukraine surfaces as well as more reports of clashes in the eastern part of Ukraine.

The day ahead is expected to be somewhat lighter as traders from the United States and Canada will be off for holidays. List of trading hours changes can be found below. Nevertheless, traders from Europe will get some data to focus on. Flash PMI indices from the European Union and the United Kingdom will be released this morning. Reports from France and Germany at 8:15 am GMT and 8:30 am GMT, respectively, will be the most closely watched ones.

8:15 am GMT - France, PMI indices for February (flash).

• Manufacturing. Expected: 55.5. Previous: 55.5

• Services. Expected: 53.6. Previous: 53.1

8:30 am GMT - Germany, PMI indices for February (flash).

• Manufacturing. Expected: 59.5. Previous: 59.8

• Services. Expected: 53.0. Previous: 52.2

9:00 am GMT - Euro area, PMI indices for February (flash).

• Manufacturing. Expected: 58.7. Previous: 58.7

• Services. Expected: 52.0. Previous: 51.1

9:00 am GMT - Poland, retail sales for January. Expected: 20.2% YoY. Previous: 16.9% YoY

9:30 am GMT - UK, PMI indices for February (flash).

• Manufacturing. Expected: 57.2. Previous: 57.3

• Services. Expected: 55.4. Previous: 54.1

US holiday - changes in trading hours

• No trading: CORN, SOYBEAN, WHEAT, SUGAR, COCOA, COFFEE, COTTON

• Trading until 4:30 pm GMT - VOLX

• Trading until 6:00 pm GMT - US30, US100, US500, US2000, USDIDX, TNOTE, LSGASOIL

• Trading until 7:15 pm GMT - GOLD, SILVER, PLATINUM, PALLADIUM

• Trading until 7:30 pm GMT - GASOLINE, OIL.WTI, NATGAS