European markets displayed mixed trading on Thursday as investors awaited monetary policy announcements 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.
