Sources say Blackstone and Apollo are competing to buy a stake in Kuwait's state oil pipeline unit. Kuwait's national oil company is requiring some bidders for the pipeline stakes to form investor consortia.

Swiss annual inflation eased to 0.5% in June from 0.6% in April and May, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday — the first decline since the energy-driven spike after the outbreak of the Iran war. Oil product prices were up 15% YoY but eased from May, and air transport prices fell; hotel and car rental prices rose. The move reinforces Swiss National Bank Chair Schlegel's assessment at last month's policy meeting that, despite a Middle East energy shock, medium-term inflationary pressures remain broadly contained.

Swiss June CPI m/m due in 10 minutes.