LONDON — European markets are expected to open in negative territory on Friday, as investors react to a swathe of earnings this week and the European Central Bank’s decision to hold rates steady.

The U.K.’s FTSE 100

index is expected to open 0.3% lower on Friday, according to IG Group. Germany’s DAX

and Italy’s FTSE MIB

are seen around 0.2% lower, while France’s CAC