European stock markets on Wednesday opened with firm footing, as global investors await key monetary policy signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve. At 15:40 PM Thailand’s time, the U.K. ‘s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX saw increases by 0.14%, and 0.45%, respectively. Meanwhile, France’s CAC 40 remained flat, and FTSE MIB saw a decrease by 0.38%.
The primary focus for global markets remains the Federal Reserve’s widely anticipated move to trim interest rates by 25 basis points later today. Market expectations have been building for a rate cut, with traders also looking for guidance on future monetary policy via the release of the central bank’s “dot plot,” which outlines policymakers’ interest rate projections over the coming year.
In parallel, European investors are digesting the latest U.K. inflation data, which showed that consumer price growth remained unchanged at 3.8% in August, according to official figures.
On Tuesday, European indices declined as markets digested developments from recent U.S.-China trade negotiations held in Madrid. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that additional rounds of talks between Washington and Beijing are anticipated ahead of the current tariff deadline in November.
The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, had announced tariffs on Chinese imports of up to 145% that were initially set for April, but those measures have been postponed pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations. The current deadline for the imposition of these tariffs stands at November 10.
Elsewhere, President Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom is underway, as he and first lady Melania Trump are scheduled to visit Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
