European Stocks Seen Up on Bernanke's Comments

European shares were seen opening higher on Friday, boosted by the prospect of a U.S. interest rate cut after the Federal Reserve said overnight that it would have to be "exceptionally alert" after a resurgence in financial strains had dimmed the outlook for the economy.

Bookmakers expected Britain's FTSE 100 to open up 20-24 points, Germany's DAX up 27-33 points and France's CAC up 18-27 points.

With the corporate diary thin, investors will focus on U.S. core personal consumption expenditure data due later in the session, as well as on the Chicago PMI index of manufacturing activity. Eurozone business climate, consumer and economic sentiment, and gross domestic product data is also due.