LONDON — European stocks are expected to open slightly higher on Tuesday with global investors looking ahead to U.S. inflation data released later this week.

United Kingdom’s FTSEIndex opens 21 points higher than its previous 7,601 Germany opening. DAX 10 points higher at 15,235, France’s CAC 40 up 7 points at 7,021 and Italy’s FTSE MIBData from IG shows that 26 339 points was 83 higher

The U.S. Labor Department will release data for January’s consumer prices index on Thursday, a key event that global investors await.

The reading follows a stronger-than-expected January jobs report, which has led to speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve could be more aggressive when it comes to hiking rates. Inflation data will show prices rising by 0.4% in January, a 7.2% increase over one year ago.

Bank of America Monday said that the Fed might implement seven quarter-percentage-point rate hikes this year.

U.S. stock index futures crept higher during overnight trading MondayWhile shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed in Tuesday tradeRegional losses led by Chinese markets were also evident.

BNP Paribas and SoftBank are expected to report earnings on Tuesday. Ocado, Tui, and BP will also be reporting earnings.

— CNBC’s Pippa Stevens contributed to this market report.