European stocks are expected to open lower on Thursday as concerns persist over the omicron Covid variant.
The U.K.'s FTSE index is seen opening 80 points lower at 7,086, Germany's DAX 176 points lower at 15,295, France's CAC 40 down 91 points at 6,797 and Italy's FTSE MIB 326 points lower at 26,026, according to data from IG.The U.K.'s FTSE index is seen opening 80 points lower at 7,086, Germany's DAX 176 points lower at 15,295, France's CAC 40 down 91 points at 6,797 and Italy's FTSE MIB 326 points lower at 26,026, according to data from IG.
But global stocks appear to be struggling to regain momentum amid continuing uncertainty around the risks posed by the new omicron Covid variant, first spotted in South Africa last week and designated a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization. The WHO said on Wednesday that at least 23 countries from five of six WHO regions have now reported cases of omicron, "and we expect that number to grow." It also noted that hospitalizations are rising across South Africa,