GKN PLC Share News (GKN)

March 12 (Reuters) - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity marketsbrought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Danilo Masoni. Reach him onMessenger to share your thoughts on market moves: danilo.masoni.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE EUROPE OPENS (0745 GMT)

European shares are expected to open higher with futures on main country benchmarks up0.4-1.1 percent following gains in Asia on the back of Friday's U.S. jobs report.

British engineer GKN will be in focus after it agreed a $6 bln tie-up with Dana tohelp fend off Melrose, which in response submitted an increased and final cash and paper offerfor GKN.

Auto stocks could underperform after US President Donald Trump tweeted that if theEU retaliates against steel tariffs by placing higher tariffs on American goods, the US would"tax cars etc. FAIR!" link here: https://goo.gl/oJ2PBs

Also in the spotlight will be German utilities after RWE and rival E.ONannounced plans to break up Innogy. E.On is seen up 6 percent in premarkettrade.

We'll also be watching shares in Glencore and Randgold after Congo'spresident signed a new mining code on Friday evening.

For other market moving headlines, see two posts below.

(Danilo Masoni)

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FUTURES POINT TO RENEWED RISK APPETITE (0719 GMT)

It's been a strong open for futures across the board, with gains of 0.4 to 0.8 percent - theDAX is leading the pack. This confirms spreadbetters' indications that Europe should start theweek on the front foot, following the lead of Asian markets which rallied overnight.

(Helen Reid)

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EUROPEAN HEADLINES ROUND-UP (0710 GMT)GKN agrees $6 bln tie-up with Dana to help fend off MelroseMelrose makes increased and final offer for GKNNovartis says operations head Wyss resigning, names three to executive panel"No deal" Brexit could cost UK, EU companies 58 bln pounds -reportFacing break up, Innogy unveils further costs cutsRWE, E.ON reshape German power sector in Innogy asset swap dealUAE's ADNOC says awards Italy's Eni stakes in new oil concessionsUBS sees "business as normal" as it contests Hong Kong suspensionPolish bank PKO Q4 profit up 38 pct, largely in line with forecastDutch wholesaler B&S valued at 1.22 bln-1.49 bln euros in IPODeutsche Bank values asset management at up to 7.2 bln euros in IPOPrada shares soar 20 pct as firm returns to sales growthNorway's Hydro says Brazil plant made unauthorised spillsFrance's Areva to pay $554 million to settle Finnish reactor disputeRegeneron/Sanofi offer new Praluent pricing to break reimbursement logjamGeely chairman says Daimler synergies "no precondition" - Bloomberg

MORNING CALL: EUROPEAN SHARES SEEN UP (0630 GMT)

European shares are expected to open higher this morning, tracking gains in Asia overnight.

A relief rally swept across Asian share markets after the latest U.S. jobs report managed toimpress with its strength while also easing fears of inflation and faster rate hikes, a neatfeat that whetted risk appetites globally.

Here are your morning calls, courtesy of CMC Markets:

FTSE: 3 points higher

DAX 50 points higher

CAC: 21 points higher

(Danilo Masoni)

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