Europe Index Futures Little Changed After Best January Since ’89

(Bloomberg) — European stock-index futures were little changed after equities posted their best start to a year since 1989.

Contracts on the Euro Stoxx 50 Index expiring in March added 0.1 percent to 3,352 at 7:10 a.m. in London.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index jumped 7.2 percent in January as the European Central Bank announced an asset-purchase program, even as Greek equities tumbled as a new government was elected. Its benchmark ASE Index slumped 13 percent last month, with lenders reaching a record low.

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said the nation needs the European Central Bank’s help to keep its banks afloat, adding that Greece won’t take any more aid under its existing bailout agreement and wants a new deal with its official creditors by the end of May. A German government official said Chancellor Angela Merkel is unlikely to agree to a bilateral meeting with Premier Alexis Tsipras at a European Union summit next week to avoid getting into direct confrontation.

Ryanair Holdings Plc may be active after the carrier raised its annual profit goal amid a jump traffic and lower fuel prices, while also saying earnings growth next year will be modest because of its fuel hedging policy. Julius Baer Group Ltd. may move after saying it will cut costs by 100 million Swiss francs ($108 million) as a surge in Switzerland’s currency may crimp profit.

CRH Plc, Holcim Ltd. and Lafarge SA may also be active. Holcim and Lafarge agreed to sell 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) of assets to CRH to overcome antitrust demands and proceed with their planned merger.

To contact the reporter on this story: Cecile Vannucci in london at [e-mail] To contact the editor responsible for this story: Cecile Vannucci at [e-mail]