Stoxx 600, FTSE, DAX, CAC, oil prices, Iran latest

LONDON — European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory as investors assess a confused picture of where the Iran war and peace talks are headed.

The U.K.’s FTSE index and France’s CAC 40 are both expected to open slightly below the flatline, Germany’s DAX up 0.13% and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 0.15%, according to data from IG.

Traders are trying to assess the direction of travel when it comes to the U.S.-Iran war. U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Wednesday that the conflict was “very close to over,” fueling market optimism that peace talks could resume and a resolution be found.

The Associated Press, citing regional officials, reported Wednesday that the U.S. and Iran had an “in principle agreement” to extend their fragile two-week ceasefire in order to allow for more diplomacy.

But a senior U.S. official told CNBC that the U.S. “has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire.”

“There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal,” added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s internal plans.

Overnight, Japan’s Nikkei 225 hit a record amid a broader rally in Asia markets, tracking gains on Wall Street on Wednesday as hopes of a U.S.-Iran deal grew. U.S. stock futures were little changed on Wednesday night after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to fresh records during the regular session.

European data releases on Thursday include the latest U.K. GDP figures for February (at 7 a.m. London time) and final European inflation data for March. Flash data out earlier this month showed euro zone inflation jumped to 2.5% in March, from 1.9% in February. Earnings come from Vinci, Tesco, Aker, Pernod Ricard and Rentokil Initial.