* European shares open higher
* Ericsson (BS:ERICAs), ASML led tech stocks after results
* Banks down as Danske weighs
* Powell: Years of strong jobs, low inflation still ahead
July 18 (Reuters) - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Danilo Masoni. Reach him on Messenger to share your thoughts on market moves: danilo.masoni.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
MINERS SET FOR A RESULTS-DRIVEN REVIVAL? (1010 GMT)
One of the best-performing sectors in Europe for most of the first half, miners .SXPP have suffered recently from a cocktail of trade tensions, weaker China data, a stronger dollar and concerns around emerging markets.
But Goldman analysts remain positive on mining, expecting balance sheets to show net cash positions by the end of 2018 / first-half 2019.
They see trade tensions as mainly a sentiment impact, reiterating the impact on growth should be "negligible".
So, what to watch in upcoming results?
"We believe that consensus is underestimating the potential scale of returns the miners could make, the more so as their balance sheets are now robust and free cash flows strong, with no significant growth capex scheduled," write GS analysts.
They expect the biggest dividend upside from Glencore GLEN.L , Anglo American AAL.L and BHP Billiton BLT.L .
GS' top picks globally are Glencore, First Quantum FM.TO , Lundin Mining LUN.TO , and Nyrstar NYR.BR - all exposed to metals which they're positive on (copper, zinc, thermal coal). On free cash flow they like Glencore and Anglo American.
They also highlight valuation as a key metric, pointing out that Aurubis NAFG.DE and Kumba KIOJ.J - which they rate as "sell" - trade at premiums.
Below you can see earnings revisions for Europe's mining sector have been trending higher into the results season:
(Helen Reid)
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OPENING SNAPSHOT: EUROPE UP AS EARNINGS DOMINATE (0714 GMT)
It really is all about earnings this morning as European shares open higher, led by a strong bounce across tech stocks as updates from Ericsson and ASML get a warm reception.
Banks are on the backfoot though as Danske Bank shares take a tumble after the lender's Q2 pretax profit fell short of expectations.
Here's your opening snapshot:
(Kit Rees)
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE OPEN (0643 GMT)
European shares are set to open higher today, helped by currency weakness as Brexit challenges further depress the pound and the euro surrenders to a bounce in the dollar following the Federal Reserve Chairman's upbeat assessment of the U.S. economy.
Futures on main country benchmarks were up 0.4 percent, indicating that the pan-European STOXX 600 index could climb back to the three-week peak hit earlier this month.
A string of good-looking earnings updates could also provide support while trade worries ease, partly helped by yesterday's wide ranging trade deal between the EU and Japan which Credit Suisse (SIX:CSGN) WM said offered some relief to markets. Among the European companies that could benefit from the deal are exporters such as Pernod Ricard (PA:PERP), LVMH, Danone and Nestle.
Back to earnings, shares in ASML, Ericsson, Novartis, easyJet (LON:EZJ), Electrolux and BHP are all seen higher following their updates, while Akzo Nobel is seen falling after its results fell short of expectations.
(Danilo Masoni)
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EARLY MORNING HEADLINE ROUNDUP: EARNING UPDATES LOOKING GOOD (0553 GMT)
Today's headlines are all about earnings updates and they're looking good.
Novartis says on track for 2018 growth despite Sandoz weakness posts surprise profit in Q2 Q2 sales ahead of estimates, sees stronger H2 AG Q2 sales in line, slight beat on profit Nobel misses Q2 core earnings, sales forecasts Q2 net profit beats forecast profit narrowly beats forecast, to guide on savings in Q3 Group expects further growth in H2 after H1 net jumps 67 pct posts record annual iron ore output, beats Q4 f'csts cancels 1 pct of flights on Friday as strike crisis deepens police disperse protesters outside Zubair oilfield as unrest grows Masoni)
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MORNING CALL: EUROPEAN SHARES GAINING FURTHER ON UPBEAT FED (0530 GMT)
European shares are set to open higher, building on gains scored in afternoon trading yesterday after the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman's upbeat assessment of the economy lifted the dollar, boosting sentiment. Jerome Powell will continue his testimony today.
"Another bullish update with Powell once again talking up the strength of the US economy could see the dollar extend its gains from Tuesday's session," said Jasper Lawler at London Capital Group.
Financial spreadbetters expect London's FTSE to open 35-40 points higher, while Frankfurt's DAX is set to open 52-54 points higher and Paris' CAC 14-16 points higher.
Over in Asia, shares followed Wall Street higher as the bullish outlook from the head of the U.S. central bank buoyed the dollar, lifted Tokyo shares to a one-month top and sent gold to a one-year trough. Masoni)
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http://reut.rs/2DQkTqc futures
https://reut.rs/2L74C89 Opening snapshot
https://reut.rs/2L0Wy8N Miners earnings July 18
https://reut.rs/2L455ru
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