European markets head for lackluster open as investors take a breath

Market Overview - European markets are expected to have a mixed open with the U.K.'s FTSE index slightly below flatline, Germany's DAX up 0.2%, France's CAC 40 up 0.1%, and Italy's FTSE MIB slightly higher [1] - The lackluster opening follows a positive trading session where the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed almost 1.1% higher, with most sectors and major regional bourses in the green [2] Economic Indicators - Global markets have been buoyed by rising expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut, with a 84.9% chance of a quarter percentage point cut being priced in for the December meeting [3] - In Europe, there are no major earnings reports on Thursday, but data releases include Germany's GfK consumer confidence survey and EU economic sentiment data [4] U.S. Market Context - U.S. markets experienced gains leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, marking the fourth consecutive day of increases [3] - U.S. markets will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving, with trading resuming on Friday in a shortened session [4]