European indices trade higher in early trading with solid gains of retail-stocks and amid speculations on full-scale quantitative easing being decided at the next ECB-meeting taking place on January 22^nd. As the Eurozone faces the risk of deflation the possibility of the ECB to buy government bonds is growing.

Energy stocks were under pressure again as the slump in oil prices continued with Crude currently quoted at USD45.76 near six-year lows amid speculations that U.S. stockpiles will increase.

Markets look ahead to U.K.'s Retail and Producer Prices and HICP due at 09:30 GMT.

U.S. equity markets point to a slightly positive open.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.40% quoted at 6,527.63 points ahead of December inflation data, Germany's DAX 30 added +0.11% trading at 9,793.07. France's CAC 40 declined by -0.03%, currently trading at 4,226.77 points.