LIVE MARKETS — Before the bell: Bond selloff sends European futures lower

(Adds blog post) Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at Before The Bell: Bond Selloff Sends European Futures Lower European futures pointed lower on Thursday as a global bond selloff gathered pace and stronger-than-expected U.S. business activity data fuelled expectations of further Federal Reserve tightening, just as oil prices firmed above $100 a barrel. With the risk-off mood weighing on Asian markets and set to extend into Wall Street for a second day, EuroSTOXX50, DAX and FTSE futures declined by 0.4-0.5%, adding to Wednesday's losses. Nasdaq and S&P 500 contracts also fell, with the probability of an October rate hike rising to nearly 71% from above 50% earlier in the week, according to CME’s FedWatch tool. Chinese blue chips lost 1.5% even as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two countries agreed to extend trade truce by two months. In European corporate news, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly planning to cut €800 million in labour costs, the latest sign of cost-cutting efforts sweeping across Europe's auto industry. In M&A, Schneider Electric announced a takeover offer for Bulg