ECB's Decision Impacts European Markets

Following the European Central Bank's (ECB) unanimous decision to reduce its key interest rates by 25 basis points, marking the seventh cut in a year, major European stock indexes mostly closed lower. This move, aimed at stimulating the economy, comes amidst mixed economic signals from the region.

Economic Indicators Under the Microscope

Investors are also weighing recent reports, including a 0.2% decrease in German producer prices for March and Switzerland's impressive trade surplus of 13.7 billion Swiss francs in the first quarter of 2025. These indicators paint a complex picture of Europe's economic health.

Market Performances at a Glance

The DAX declined by 0.49%, with Fresenius Medical Care experiencing a significant drop of 5.78%. The FTSE 100 remained flat, while the CAC 40 slipped by 0.60% and the Euro Stoxx 50 dropped by 0.63%, with Hermes International falling by 3.22% on both indexes.

Currency Movements

At 5:32 pm CET, the euro lost 0.22% against the dollar, trading at $1.13760. Conversely, the British pound gained 0.11%, selling for $1.32568 at 5:33 pm CET, reflecting the nuanced reactions of currency markets to the day's events.