European equity markets were poised to open slightly higher on Friday, following gains in global markets as traders reduced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate increase in September. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he would support keeping rates unchanged if price pressures continue to ease. Markets now price roughly even odds of a quarter-point hike, compared with about 70% earlier this week. Investors in Europe will focus on German factory orders, Italian retail sales, UK new car sales and construction PMI (survey-based economic activity gauge) reports from across the region. Volkswagen AG’s supervisory board also approved a broad restructuring involving 50,000 additional job cuts, a smaller vehicle lineup and a reduced industrial footprint. Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were each up around 0.1% in premarket trading.