ECB Meeting Looms as Inflationary Pressures Rise

The global economy is facing multiple challenges as the European Central Bank meeting approaches. Brent crude prices are rising, nearing $100 a barrel, and adding to inflationary pressures. This has increased expectations that Christine Lagarde will announce further monetary tightening measures at Thursday's ECB meeting.

China's trade surplus widened significantly, driven by exports of semiconductor technology. Japan also reported positive trade data, but this has fueled speculation about an interest rate hike next week.

The Bank of Japan is intervening heavily to defend the yen, which could lead to higher US Treasury yields as investors take out cheap yen-denominated loans and invest in government bonds.

Germany's economic data was mixed, with a wider trade surplus than expected but falling exports. The DAX index is expected to trade within a range of 25,800 to 26,050 points today.