The fog of interest falls to European equities at closing

European shares fell on Thursday, the mixed reading of corporate growth in the major economies and the uncertainty surrounding the US interest rate outlook have fueled investor concerns, while British equities have been negatively affected by the rise in the pound sterling.

The latest data show that euro area activity growth picked up slightly in August, but factory activity contracted in Japan and the United States, raising questions about the health of the euro area. the world economy.

Tensions on the markets were further exacerbated by the Bundesbank's view that it did not see the need to pay a fiscal stimulus for the moment, even though it foresaw a further contraction in the third quarter.

According to Reuters, the European index Stoxx 600 closed down 0.4%, while the euro area stock index fell 0.6%.

Federal Reserve Chairman Patrick Hacker said Thursday in Philadelphia that he saw no reason to propose additional stimulus measures.

Markets are still waiting for clarification on the Federal Reserve's position through its chairman, Jerome Powell, who is due to comment Friday at 14:00 GMT, highlighting new insights on the prospects for a reduction in oil prices. rate.

The British FTSE 100 posted a weaker performance than the wider market, hit by the rise in the pound sterling, after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that a solution to the Irish border problem could be found before October 31, Brexit deadline.

The bank index was one of the few sectors that have regained momentum today, with banks in the region welcoming the latest move by the European Central Bank, which has given it more time to allocate funds. money on loans that have not been repaid or may not be repaid.

The Madrid Stock Exchange benefited from a new momentum, benefiting from an increase of more than 2% in the values ​​of BBVA, Caixapank and Banco Sabadell after HSBC's forecasts for a rise in the Spanish banking sector in Spain.

The British health care company NMC Health was the main winner of the Stokes index, thanks to reports that the Chinese company Fuson had submitted a competing bid to acquire 40% of the capital. Benefits in 3 months.

Growing hope that major economies offer incentives to avoid a global recession helped stabilize stock markets last week, but the Stoxx 600 is still on track to arrive in late August.