European stocks dip, eyes on ECB rate decision

European stocks fell today, Thursday, as investors anxiously awaited the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision, a day after the US Federal Reserve hinted that it would continue to raise interest rates.

According to “Reuters”, the European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.9 percent at 0810 GMT.

The European Central Bank is widely expected to raise interest rates by 50 basis points at 1315 GMT, following the Federal Reserve’s move on Wednesday to raise interest rates by half a percentage point.

Britain’s FTSE 100 index fell 0.6 percent, as investors focused on the Bank of England’s interest rate decision later on Thursday.

All sectors on the 600 index declined, with shares of industrial and retail companies falling 1.6 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. Banking shares fell 0.8 percent.