LIVE MARKETS-What you need to know before the open

* European stock futures little changed

* Trump says he expects to raise China tariffs

* STOXX 600 ended at 1-week high in previous session

Nov 27 - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Danilo Masoni. Reach him on Messenger to share your thoughts on market moves: danilo.masoni.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE OPEN (0752 GMT)

European shares are expected to open little changed as the focus turns to possible developments on the trade dispute between China and the US after Trump said he expected to move ahead with slapping tariffs on more Chinese imports, tempering optimism over Brexit and a possible Italian budget deal with Brussels. Futures on the main euro zone benchmark was flat.

On the corporate front, eyes will be on AccorHotels after Europe's largest hotels company stuck to its target of doubling core earnings to 1.2 billion euros by 2022 anticipating a boost to future dividends, although it looks the update hasn't inspired with its shares indicated down 1 percent. In the same sector, however, Thomas Cook (Frankfurt: A0MR3W - news) cut its earnings forecast for the second time in two months, sending its shares falling 10 percent in pre-market trade.

Traders said they will also be watching shares in Alstom (LSE: 0J2R.L - news) and Siemens (BSE: SIEMENS.BO - news) after the FT reported that the EU may ask for larger concession to clear their proposed merger, while still on the M&A front, Credit Agricole (Swiss: ACA.SW - news) 's insurance unit said started exclusive talks to buy Charterhouse Capital's 50 percent stake in Comexposium. A disappointing Q3 update from Chinese instant noodle and beverage maker Tingyi (HKSE: 0322-OL.HK - news) may weigh on Unilver, as the European group also sells small-ticket consumer staples and is exposed to Africa and Asia.

(Danilo Masoni)

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THOMAS COOK WARNING, TOPPS TILES STOCKS UP FOR BREXIT (0739 GMT)

In UK headlines this morning there's more evidence of companies tweaking supply plans and preparing for the consequences of Brexit, with Britain's biggest tile retailer Topps Tiles (LSE: TPT.L - news) saying it will increase inventory of important products to protect against supply chain disruptions.

A second profit downgrade in two months from holiday company Thomas Cook, which also suspended its dividend blaming a particularly weak home market, is likely to steal the show today with traders predicting the stock will fall 10 percent or more.

Headlines to watch:

Topps Tiles to stock up ahead of Brexit

Thomas Cook cuts profit forecast again due to weak British market

Pets At Home (Frankfurt: A1XFE7 - news) to reorganise business amid cost pressures

British subprime lender Amigo posts rising profits and revenues

Greggs (Stuttgart: 41G1.SG - news) expects stronger 2018 profit after rise in Oct (Shenzhen: 000069.SZ - news) , Nov sales

Indivior (Frankfurt: 2IVA.F - news) to discuss strategy, contingency plans on Dec (Shanghai: 600875.SS - news) . 18

Some UK lawmakers could support PM May's deal if she gives her exit date - The Times

(Helen Reid)

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HEADLINES ROUND-UP: EYES ON NOVARTIS, ACCOR (EUREX: 485822.EX - news) , CAIXABANK (Amsterdam: CB6.AS - news) (0655)

On the corporate front it looks rather quiet, although investors may keep an eye on shares in AccorHotels and Spanish lender Caixabank after their updates, whole Novartis (IOB: 0QLR.IL - news) could also be on the watch-list after its Alcon unit, being spun off to investors next year, outlined its plans.

Here is your full headlines round up:

Alcon sees 2020 dividend, bolt-on purchases in life after Novartis

AccorHotels sticks to goals for future earnings growth

Spain's Caixabank raises 2021 profitability target

Loxo, Bayer (IOB: 0P6S.IL - news) drug for cancers driven by rare mutation gets U.S. nod

StanChart (HKSE: 2888-OL.HK - news) planning to simplify structure to curb costs - Bloomberg

Airbus to resume deliveries to HNA Group after payments dispute

AccorHotels announces $500 mln offer for rest of Poland's Orbis (IOB: 0FGS.IL - news)

Vopak to buy 44 pct stake in Elengy Terminal Pakistan

Saudi Aramco plans gas investments of $150 bln over next decade - CEO

Ghosn suspected of shifting personal investment losses to Nissan -Asahi

(Danilo Masoni)

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MORNING CALL: TRUMP THREAT SETS EUROPE FOR SOFTER START (0627 GMT)

European shares are set for a sluggish start today with fresh worries over an escalation in the trade dispute between Washington and Beijing offsetting optimism over a possible Italian budget deal with Brussels that helped lift markets in the previous session.

Over in Asia, shares inched higher as they fought to keep a global rebound alive after U.S. President Donald Trump seemed to quash hopes of a trade truce with China, clouding what had been a bright start to the week.

"The resilience seen in the Asian session is not looking spill over into the European session, with bourses across Europe pointing to a softer start," says Jasper Lawler, Head of Research at London Capital Group.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said he expected to move ahead with raising tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 percent from the current 10 percent and repeated his threat to slap tariffs on all remaining imports from China.

And here are your opening calls, courtesy of LCG.

FTSE to open 6 point lower at 7030

DAX to open 9 points lower at 11343

CAC to open 4 points lower at 4990

(Danilo Masoni )

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