European equities close low and low UK FTSE performance

European stocks fell on Thursday as mixed results of business growth in the key uncertain economies surrounding the US interest rate outlook fueled investor anxiety, while UK stocks were dragged down by a rise in the value of the pound sterling.

Latest data show that activity growth in the euro area recovered slightly in August, as factory activity contracted in Japan and the United States, raising health issues. of the world economy.

Adding to market tensions, the Bundesbank said it did not see the need to pay fiscal stimulus for the moment, even though it foresaw a further contraction in the third quarter.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed down 0.4%, while the euro area index fell by 0.6%.

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

But markets are still waiting for clarification on the Federal Reserve's position through its president, Jerome Powell, who is due to comment Friday at 14:00 GMT to highlight new insights on prospects for the Fed. a reduction in rates.

The British FTSE 100 Index 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 banking index was among the few sectors to rally on Thursday, as banks in the region welcomed the recent decision of the European Central Bank to give it more time to allocate money to the bank. loan cover that has not been repaid or may not be repaid.

The Madrid Stock Exchange benefited from a new momentum, benefiting from the more than 2% rise in BPVA, Caixapank and Banco Sabadell, after HSBC anticipated a rise in Spain's domestic banking sector.

The British health care company NMC Health was the main winner of the Stokes index, thanks to reports that the Chinese company Fuson had made a competing offer to acquire 40% stake, while the health care company Danish health Ambo had dropped 10% after posting its second warning on the results. In three 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.