European stock indices closed lower Wednesday as investors avoided risk ahead of the US interest rate decision that could mark the start of a monetary easing cycle in the world's largest economy. The European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.5 percent, led by the food companies sub-index which fell 1 percent, along with declines for all major European stock exchanges. The healthcare sector sub-index lost 0.7 percent as shares of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk fell 2.4 percent. The British FTSE 100 index closed down 0.7 percent, while the pound sterling rose 0.3 percent against the dollar. Markets are awaiting the start of the expected monetary easing cycle from the Federal Reserve (the US central bank), which is expected to announce its decision on interest rates later Wednesday. Data in Britain showed that the inflation rate was unchanged in August, but it accelerated in the services sector, which the Bank of England closely monitors, reinforcing expectations that the bank will keep interest rates unc hanged on Thursday. Source: Qatar News Agency
Related Posts
QBA Chairperson to QNA: HH the Amirs Visit to Italy Lends Profound Impetus to Bilateral Relationship
Doha: HE Chairperson of Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani has lauded the long-standing relations with the Italian Republic in all fields. He affirmed that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to…
QSE General Index Rises 108.79 Points
Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index increased at the end of trading today, by 108.79 points, or 1.06 percent, to close at 10,346.46 points.During today’s session, 246,019,788 shares were traded, with a value of QR 578,970,200.092, as a result of …
S. Korea’s Consumer Inflation Slows to Lowest Level in Nearly 3 1/2 Years in August
South Korea’s consumer prices slowed to the lowest level in nearly 3 1/2 years in August on easing prices of farm produce and global oil, official data showed Tuesday.
Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2% on-year last month, compared wi…