Europe Stocks Trade Steady Ahead Of Fed Decision

European stock markets opened mostly steady on Wednesday, with investors awaiting a policy decision from the U.S. Federal Reserve, due after the close of trading.

“Most major stock markets are remaining at or near their highs of the year on optimism that the Fed will jump once again into action tonight and provide the US economic with another leg up to kick start growth in 2013…” said Markus Huber, head of German HNW Trading, in emailed comments. Underpinning Europe, Asia stocks advanced on optimism over the U.S. debt negotiations and hopes of Fed action later.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index was flat at 280.58, while the German DAX 30 index rose 0.2% to 7,606.31. The French CAC 40 index was flat at 3,645.06. The FTSE 100 index was flat at 5926.87.

Marketwatch