European stocks are expected to open lower on Friday

European stock markets are set to open lower on Friday, with this week’s rally showing signs of fading and prompting investors to take profits. Expectations of a more aggressive Federal Reserve tightening policy have risen, pushing up bond yields and dampening sentiment in global stock markets. Geopolitical uncertainty is further fueling market concerns, following a statement from President Trump that the U.S. no longer needs to reach a deal with Iran. In European markets, investors are awaiting a series of key economic data, including Eurozone GDP, trade balance, and employment figures, as well as final October inflation readings for France and Spain, and wholesale price data from Germany. On the corporate front, attention will also be on major company earnings, including Enel, Assicurazioni Generali, and ACS Group. In pre-market trading, Euro Stoxx 50 index futures fell 0.5%, while Stoxx 600 index futures dropped 0.4%.