Al-Thawra Net/..
European stocks recorded a weak performance at the beginning of trading on Thursday, with investors anticipating the possibility of the US Federal Reserve moving towards raising interest rates, after monetary policy makers expected further tightening, while the decline in oil prices contributed to alleviating concerns related to inflation.
The European Stoxx 600 index fell by 0.15 percent to reach 638.35 points, according to the Oman News Agency.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged yesterday, but continued inflation pressures prompted nine monetary policy makers to expect to raise them once this year.
Oil prices also continued to decline today, with Brent crude approaching $77 per barrel, following a temporary agreement between the United States and Iran that strengthened expectations of an increase in oil supplies.
In the markets, German airline Lufthansa rose 0.9 percent, Air France rose 2.7 percent, while technology companies rose 0.6 percent, supported by a rise in chip manufacturing stocks.
Generali shares also rose 2.6 percent following reports of efforts to increase UniCredit Bank’s stake in the company, while British Tesco shares fell 3.3 percent after sales growth slowed.
Edenred shares jumped by 13.9 percent following reports that the British company “BC Partners” was studying the acquisition of the French company.
