In the European session, the German Benchmark Index traded below 18,300 levels.
European markets opened lower after retail sales data and remarks from Federal Reserve officials boosted hopes for interest rate cuts sooner rather than later.
Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 each slipped 0.3%. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Index and the S&P 500 remained mostly unchanged, while Nasdaq futures rose 0.2%.
The possibility of lower interest rates and the surge in technology stocks, driven by optimism about artificial intelligence boosting profits, are supporting global markets.
Weaker-than-expected retail sales data and comments from several Fed officials on Tuesday further fueled hopes for rate cuts. U.S. markets were closed for the Juneteenth holiday.
