Stocks in Europe seen lower ahead of ECB meeting

Stocks in Europe are seen lower Thursday morning as traders watch developments from central banks across the world.

The FTSE 100 is seen off by 33 points at 7,672; the DAX is seen down by 45 points at 12,852 and the CAC 40 in Paris is expected to start lower by 20 points at 5,439; according to IG.

Stocks markets have fallen in the wake of the latest decision from the Federal Reserve to hike rates by 25 points. The central bank also indicated that two more increases could still take place this year, which led the Dow to close down by 119.53 points.

In the meantime, traders will be looking at a European Central Bank (ECB) meeting in Riga, Latvia on Thursday, where policymakers are set to start discussing how to put an end to its massive bond-buying programme.

In politics, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May told CNBC in an exclusive interview that the special relationship with the United States will endure despite differences over trade and a nuclear deal with Iran. Also, the U.K.’s trade chief Liam Fox told CNBC that President Donald Trump’s approach to trade is not right.

In the corporate world, Comcast has made a $65 billion offer for some of Fox’s assets, setting up a bidding war between the largest U.S. media companies.

In terms of data there will be retail sales numbers out in the U.K. at 9.30 a.m.

Source: CNBC

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