European Stocks Poised to Open Higher as Fed Rate Hike Bets Fade

European equities are set to open higher on September 30, 2026, as futures point to gains on sharply reduced Federal Reserve rate hike expectations. Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.61%, DAX futures 0.60%, FTSE 100 futures 0.57%, and CAC 40 futures 0.43%. Caution ahead of U.S. PCE inflation data due Wednesday morning may cap advances. The dollar index slipped 0.09% to 101.28 after weak labor market data and dovish Fed comments. Brent crude for December fell 0.24% to $95.93; WTI for November eased 0.09% to $89.30. December gold futures jumped 0.89% to $4,217.07. Tuesday closes were mixed: Stoxx 50 rose 0.38% to 6,325.25 and DAX added 0.10% to 25,399.21, while FTSE 100 fell 0.45% to 10,636.71 and CAC 40 dropped 0.53% to 8,035.87. Wall Street was mildly lower. Key data include German and French September CPI, U.S. PCE and final second-quarter GDP.