Economic calendar: US jobless claims in focus

• European markets set to open higher
• US weekly jobless claims
• EIA natural gas storage

Futures markets point to a slightly higher opening of today's cash trading session in Europe. Once again the economic calendar for the European morning is empty as the only noteworthy reading - German trade data - has already been released at 7:00 am GMT. It has shown a slightly lower trade surplus on the month as exports grew by 4.1% while imports grew by 5.0% in October. When it comes to the US trading hours, investors will be offered weekly unemployment claims which could offer some short-term volatility on USD and US indices.  Due to the light calendar, further news regarding the Omicron variant may remain a key driver as mixed reports continue to hit the news wires. NATGAS traders will focus on the EIA report at 3:30 pm GMT.

1:30 pm GMT - US, weekly jobless claims. Expected: 215k. Previous: 222k

3:30 pm GMT - EIA natural gas storage. Expected: -60 bcf. Previous: -59 bcf

5:00 pm GMT - USDA WASDE Report 

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