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

Gregor Stuart Hunter

Global equities are nudging higher with fresh record highs

within view, after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday

that talks to end the Iran war could resume in Pakistan over the

next two days.

Though there's been no confirmation of the timing from Iran,

investor confidence is still intact. The MSCI All-Country World

Index rose 0.2% to extend its winning streak into a ninth

consecutive day on Wednesday, while S&P 500 e-mini futures

held steady just above the 7,000 mark - a level the cash

benchmark briefly touched in late January.

Brent crude edged up 0.6% to $95.33 per barrel,

after the U.S. military said its blockade has completely halted

economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.

Investors are also weighing up warnings from the

International Monetary Fund, which cut its global growth outlook

on Tuesday, while some traders warned that complacency may be

setting in.

Nevertheless, U.S. earnings season has painted a picture of

a financial sector profiting from the volatility of the first

quarter, with banks reporting booming trading revenues even as

they sounded a note of caution about the ripple impact of higher

oil prices on clients.

ASIA LEADS GAINS

There was little such worry in Asian trade, with MSCI's

broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan

up 1.5%. Korea's Kospi led gains,

tacking on 3% to close in on its previous record. Taiwanese

shares rose 1.9% to set fresh all-time highs.

EUROPE MORE GUARDED

Early European trade showed more scepticism. Pan-region

futures were down 0.1%, German DAX futures

slipped 0.1% and FTSE futures were up 0.1%.

Elsewhere, former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh,

nominated by President Donald Trump to head the U.S. central

bank, is on track to set a new record of his own, reporting

assets worth well over $100 million in new financial

disclosures. That would make him the wealthiest Fed chair in

history if he is confirmed.

Key developments that could influence markets on Wednesday:

Company earnings:

ASML Holding NV, Bank of America Corporation, Morgan Stanley

Economic events:

France: CPI for March

Euro Zone: industrial production for February, reserve

assets for March

Debt auctions:

Germany: 26-year and 30-year government debt