ROME: Europe’s main stock markets have closed lower, with all eyes fixed on the US Federal Reserve and the outcome of its interest rate meeting.
Greece also loomed large in investors’ minds, with hopes of a deal with creditors over its bailout repayments fading fast.
London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index of top companies ended the day 0.4 per cent lower at 6,680.55 points.
In Paris, the CAC 40 closed down 1 per cent at 4,790.62 points, and Frankfurt’s DAX 30 ended 0.6 per cent lower at 10,978.01 points.
In foreign exchange activity, the European single currency traded at $US1.1245, lower than its $US1.1251 level in New York late Tuesday.
On Wall Street, stocks were mixed as investors awaited the Federal Reserve policy statement on interest rates due at 4am (AEST) on Thursday.
In midday trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.1 per cent at 17,891.93 points, the broad-based S&P 500 was up 0.6 per cent at 2,096.29, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index lost 0.1 per cent to 5,051.74.
“It’s been one of those days. A lack of genuine news, and anticipation of the Fed event this evening, has led to a rather dull Wednesday for the markets,” Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell said.
With the release of some disappointing US data and the Greek crisis dragging on, analysts said dealers are hoping the Fed puts off a rate hike, which is expected by the end of the year.
Analysts said the crisis would likely be in focus when the Fed concludes its meeting and its chair Janet Yellen is slated to hold a news conference.
Dealers are hoping for clearer guidance on its plans for raising interest rates, with fears that a hike too soon could hit the global economy.
