European markets cautious Utilities rise, telecoms drag

European stocks markets saw choppy opening on Thursday as traders cautiously awaited remarks from Fed President Janet Yellen in Washington amid renewed worries about the political turmoil in Ukraine.

The markets are waiting for yellen as she heads back to Washington DC to testify before the Senate banking Committee, where she will offer some comments on recent economic data and weather effects.  In Ukraine, the political turmoil stole the headlines again, so a cautioys vibe dominates the market, with fears of a bank escalating, adn threatening the country`s sovereign credit ratings. 

As of 03:53 a.m. ET, the Stoxx Europe 600 was nearly flat around 337.83 and equities are still swung between gains and losses, with Utilities shares rising the most by 0.45% while telecommunications  dragged the losers, falling by 0.71%. 

- London`s FTSE 100 added 8.19 points or 0.12% to 6,807.34

- Paris`s CAC 30 the rose 7.47 points or 0.17% to 4,404.38

- Frankfurt`s DAX 30 lost 7.43 points or 0.08% to 9,654.30

In the latest update on Ukrainian crisis, Russian Presdient Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered an urgent military drill to test the combat readiness of the armed forced across western and central Russia on Wednesday, in a show of strength over the political impasse in Ukraine.

The US central bank is back into focus with Yellen taking center stage in Washington for a her second testimony before Congress on Thursday.