LONDON — European stocks are expected to open around the flatline on Thursday amid market concerns around the region’s inflation outlook.

The U.K. FTSEThe index opens at 7.281, Germany’s, 6 points below its previous opening point. DAX 2 points lower at 16,248, France’s CAC 40 down 3 points at 7,155 and Italy’s FTSE MIBAccording to data from IG, it was 10 points less at 27651,

Investor concerns about the outlook for inflation in Europe are driving the flat-opening of European markets. Data released Wednesday revealed that euro zone inflation was 4.1% in October. This is more than twice the previous month’s data. European Central Bank‘s target.

It is available in its biannual stability report published WednesdayThe ECB has warned about the possibility of high property and financial valuations as the region struggles to recover from Covid’s pandemic.

Meanwhile, U.K. consumer price index (CPI) came in at 4.2% in the 12 months to October — its highest in almost a decade as energy and automotive costs soared. These data are expected to put pressure on the Bank of EnglandTo act on interest rate at the December meeting. 

U.S. stock futuresAfter Wednesday’s pullback by the major averages, overnight trades were flat Asia-Pacific markets traded mixedFollowing Wall Street’s overnight losses, shares in Japan, Hong Kong, and China mainland suffered significant losses Thursday.

The U.S. Labor Department’s last week jobless claims data, which will be published at 8:30 am by the Labor Department, will have global markets keeping an eye out for the most recent economic data. ET on Thursday. Dow Jones economists polled expect initial filings of unemployment insurance to fall to 260,000 from previous week’s 267,000.

Data in Europe: On Thursday, Germany, France and the U.K. will be sending out new vehicle registrations. Thyssenkrupp’s Royal Mail, the National Grid and Royal Mail all contribute to earnings.

— CNBC’s Maggie Fitzgerald contributed to this market report.