This morning we’ve seen a basket of Euro data released from France, Spain and The Euro-Zone. Although preliminary Spanish Inflation data for March suggests a slight rise in prices, Consumer confidence across the bloc improved throughout March with possibilities of an interest rate cut on the horizon. Sticking with Europe, we have some pretty weighted data out tomorrow for Germany, in particular their Retail Sales for February and their unemployment figures for March.

If we look into the economic calendar for today, there is nothing coming out for the UK. Consumer confidence from Germany was rolled out this morning and is almost unchanged from last month. While on the topic, we do have consumer confidence from the US in the afternoon too. Highlights for this week will be German retail sales on Thursday and PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditure) for the US.

UK Retail Sales showed promising signs for The UK economy, with figures coming in better than initially anticipated, albeit flatlining last month against expectations of a decline in sales. Any further optimism towards The UK’s economic health may well come in the form of our GDP numbers on Thursday, which will outline whether the recent recession was short-lived.

The recent election results in Portugal have sparked interest and concerns among wealthy expats and investors, particularly those residing in the Algarve, regarding the approach of the country's new government towards international investments and expatriate taxation.

Europe holds one of the biggest money movers in the global market, and the continent’s significance in numbers and world economy cannot be undermined. The continent offers a broad spectrum of investment opportunities and a robust mix of industries.

Recent market speculation is that Bank of England shows signals of a potential rate cut happening in the late summer. While macro economists and strategists are predicting a bluntly different scenario, seeing long positions on GBP strengthen – which if markets place into its hands will boost the GBP in the long run.

The US Dollar has started today on the backfoot as potential Interest Rate Cuts by the Federal Reserve draw ever closer, whilst the Euro has also slipped off this morning as we eagerly await the rate decision by the European Central Bank later this morning.

All eyes are set to be focused on today’s Spring Budget, released at 12:30pm. The budget is expected to be the last major fiscal event before the next general election, with rumours now ramping up for a May General Election. The rumour mill over the past 48 hours has seen hints seemingly point towards further tax reductions as The Tories continue to fall further behind Labour in the polls.