European equity markets were on course to open higher on Thursday after subdued U.S. inflation data tempered expectations of a Federal Reserve rate increase in September, easing pressure on risk assets globally. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were both up around 0.4%. Regional data showed the UK economy grew 0.4% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to June, slowing from 0.5% in the first quarter but meeting market forecasts. Investors were also watching for June industrial production data from the Eurozone and Spain’s final July inflation figures. In company news, Maersk raised its full-year underlying Ebitda guidance to a level above analyst expectations, while E.On, RWE, Antofagasta, Birkenstock and Nomad Foods were among the other European companies due to report earnings.