Investors in Europe's stock markets are bracing for a flood of earnings reports, data releases, and statements from central banks, with the trading getting off to a shaky start this week.

European market index Stoxx 600 remained unchanged on the opening bell. Petrol prices rose on geopolitical worries, crude oil and gas equities 1.4% higher, while retail equities lost 0.7%.

See Also: Oil Climbs 1% After Houthi Rebels Attack on British Oil Tanker; Trafigura Assesses Red Sea Risks

Highest Level in 2 Years

According to LSEG statistics, the regional index closed last week at its highest level since January 2022 after climbing 3.1%. Stocks rose on the heels of encouraging corporate earnings reports for the fourth quarter and growing market anticipation of interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank (ECB) in April.

Last Thursday, January 25, the ECB kept interest rates unchanged and said it was too soon to discuss rate reduction. However, CNBC said that investors have seen that members of the Governing Council seem less concerned about domestic inflationary pressures and that price increases are approaching their goal.

What To Anticipate This Week

Wednesday, January 31, will see the United States Federal Reserve's own monetary policy decision. Traders are split on March's prospects but are not anticipating a decrease. Then Thursday, February 1, brings the Bank of England meeting when the spotlight will once again be on the language used to describe the most recent thinking among officials.

Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet are all scheduled to release their financial reports this week. Philips and Ryanair will provide updates in Europe on Monday, local time.

In the meantime, this week brings statistics on Chinese industrial activity, US monthly employment, and preliminary fourth-quarter growth for the Eurozone.

The mixed trading sentiment in Asia-Pacific markets was due to the spotlight being on the Chinese real estate developer Evergrande's liquidation order from Hong Kong's High Court. The troubled company's stock came to a stop.

Overnight, US stock futures showed mixed results.

See Also: Here's Why EU's Confiscation of Russian Central Bank Assets Is Highly Unlikely