By European markets displayed mixed trading on Thursday as investors focused on monetary policy decisions from the Bank of England, Swiss National Bank, and Sweden’s Riksbank.
The Stoxx 600 index rose 0.12%, with the UK’s FTSE 100 gaining 0.35% and France’s CAC 40 falling 0.2%. The Stoxx 600 has now posted gains for four consecutive days after a 1.22% drop last week.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.25%, leaving the Swiss franc flat against the euro and slightly weaker against the US dollar. Swiss inflation hit a nearly four-year low of 0.3% in February.
Shares of Hapag-Lloyd fell 5% after the company warned of lower net profits in 2025 due to geopolitical challenges. Germany’s DAX also slipped 0.36% as investors digested recent fiscal policy changes.
The Bank of England and Sweden’s Riksbank are expected to hold rates steady, reflecting cautious optimism in the region.