Equity markets in Western Europe fell sharply during trading on Wednesday, following the dynamics of the main stock indexes in the Asia-Pacific region.
The composite index of the largest companies in the Stoxx Europe 600 region fell by 1.69% by 12:30 pm to 381.66 points.
The British stock index FTSE 100 is down 1.57%, the German DAX – 1.6%, the French CAC 40 – 1.24%. Italian FTSE MIB loses 1.56%, Spanish IBEX 35 – 1.78%.
Asian stocks also fell heavily, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng hitting a 13-year low.
Investors are still worried about forecasts of a global economic recession amid persistently high inflation and aggressive measures by the largest central banks to contain it.
The European Central Bank (ECB) will raise interest rates at the next few meetings, the head of the regulator, Christine Lagarde, said at an event in Frankfurt on Wednesday.
“We will do what we must, which is to keep raising interest rates at the next meetings,” Lagarde said. “Our main goal is price stability, and we must achieve it. If we do not achieve, then the economy will suffer even more.”
In early September, the ECB raised all three key interest rates by 75 basis points (bp) for the second time in a row. The base interest rate on loans was raised to 1.25% per annum, the rate on deposits – up to 0.75%, the rate on margin loans – up to 1.5%. Markets expect the European Central Bank to raise rates by another 75 bp in October.
Meanwhile, the leading indicator of consumer confidence in Germany, calculated by the research company GfK, updated a historical low in October. The value of the indicator fell to minus 42.5 points compared to minus 36.8 points in September. A record low is recorded following the results of the fourth month in a row.
Analysts on average predicted a less significant drop – to minus 39 points, according to Trading Economics.
The consumer confidence index in France in September fell to 79 points compared to 82 points a month earlier, data from the national statistical office Insee showed. As a result, its value coincided with the historical minimum, which was recorded in May 2013 and in July this year.
Experts on average expected a reduction of only 80 points.
German industrial group Thyssenkrupp AG plunged 12.1% to become one of the top three Stoxx 600 stocks. JPMorgan analysts affirmed the company’s underweight rating.
The shares of Norwegian fish companies SalMar ASA (-27.5%) and Mowi ASA (-19.2%) also fell most significantly.
Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold Delhaize NV is down 0.6%. The company’s Board of Directors intends to propose to shareholders that they reappoint CEO and Chairman of the Board Frans Müller for another term.
The capitalization of the British fashion house Burberry Group Plc is growing by 3.4%. The company’s chief creative officer, Riccardo Tisci, will retire at the end of September. He will be replaced by Daniel Lee.
Asia-Pacific region, DYNAMICS, European stock markets, Stock indices
