Stock indices traded lower on uncertainty over Britain’s membership in the European Union (EU). According to the latest polls, the majority of Britons would support Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU).
Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. Eurostat released its final consumer price inflation data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Eurozone’s harmonized consumer price index rose 0.4% in May, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% gain, after a flat reading in April.
On a yearly basis, Eurozone’s final consumer price inflation increased to -0.1% in May from -0.2% in April, in line with the preliminary reading.
Restaurants and cafés prices were up 0.12% year-on-year in May, rents increased by 0.07%, tobacco rose by 0.07%, fuel prices for transport declined by 0.53%, heating oil prices decreased by 0.20%, while gas prices were down by 0.13%.
Eurozone’s final consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco rose to an annual rate of 0.8% in May from 0.7 in April, in line with the preliminary reading.
The Office for National Statistics released its retail sales data for the U.K. on Thursday. Retail sales in the U.K. climbed 0.9% in May, exceeding expectations for a 0.2% gain, after a 1.9% rise in April. April’s figure was revised up from a 1.3% increase.
The increase was mainly driven by a rise in clothing and footwear.
Food sales were up 1.1% in May, while non-food store sales increased 0.7%.
On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. jumped 6.0% in May, beating forecasts of a 3.9% increase, after a 5.2% rise in April. April’s figure was revised up from a 4.3% gain.
The Bank of England (BoE) is scheduled to release its interest rate decision at 11:00 GMT. Analysts expect the central bank to keep its monetary policy unchanged.
Current figures:
Name Price Change Change %
FTSE 100 5,935.14 -31.66 -0.53 %
DAX 9,534.01 -72.70 -0.76 %
CAC 40 4,148.53 -23.05 -0.55 %
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