A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rae

Wee

The euphoria from this week's mix of market tailwinds

appears to have run its course, with investors left searching

for the next catalyst. That could come later in the day from

U.S. retail sales and Walmart's ( WMT ) earnings.

Asian stocks drifted and futures pointed to a mixed opening

in Europe on Thursday, as investors sobered up to the fact that

there remains much uncertainty over the outlook for the global

economy and U.S. President Donald Trump's chaotic trade

policies.

Key for markets will be results from Walmart ( WMT ), a

bellwether for the U.S. retail industry, for an indication on

whether the Arkansas behemoth is truly best placed to navigate

the uncertainty from Trump's tariffs.

Walmart ( WMT ) is among a handful of large companies that have not

either pulled or slashed their forecasts. The company last month

reaffirmed its annual forecast, saying "nothing in the current

environment changes its strategy".

Should that change, investors will no doubt be alarmed.

The results come alongside U.S. retail sales data for the

month of April, where expectations are for a flat reading on a

monthly basis.

Together, the releases will offer clues on the health of the

U.S. consumer, and upbeat numbers could narrow the chances of a

recession in the world's largest economy, which would in turn be

a boon for stocks.

Also on the market's radar is a speech from Federal Reserve

Chair Jerome Powell, where the focus will be on any hints he may

give regarding the outlook for U.S. monetary policy.

So far, the hard data has given Fed policymakers little to

go on as they try to assess how Trump's sweeping tariffs and

ongoing trade negotiations will affect prices and the economy.

And it is likely Powell will reiterate his patient approach on

rates.

Ahead of the U.S. releases, preliminary first-quarter growth

figures for the UK and euro zone are also due, though investors

are likely to look past those numbers given they pre-date

Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs.

In currency markets, the dollar remained volatile against

the Korean won, sliding for a second straight day on news

that South Korea's deputy finance minister discussed forex with

a U.S. Treasury official earlier this month.

The moves in the won were reminiscent of an unprecedented

surge in the Taiwan dollar just a few days ago, again stoking

speculation that a weaker dollar could be part of Trump's trade

deal with other countries.

Key developments that could influence markets on Thursday:

- UK preliminary GDP (Q1)

- Euro zone flash GDP (Q1)

- U.S. retail sales (April)

- Walmart ( WMT ) earnings

- Fed Chair Powell speaks

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(Editing by Jacqueline Wong)