Europe midday: Shares slip into red ahead of ECB rate decision

(Sharecast News) - European shares fell into the red on Thursday as traders assessed eurozone GDP data and awaited a decision from the European Central Bank.

The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was down 0.53% at 572 by 1200 GMT. Germany's DAX was down 0.16%, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.63% and France's CAC 40 declined almost 1%.

US interest rates were cut by 25 basis points on Thursday as expected though chair Jerome Powell unsettled markets by signalling uncertainty over a further move in December. Traders expect the ECB to keep rates on hold.

In economic news, the German economy stagnated in the third quarter, according to flash estimates from the federal statistical authority. Figures for the second quarter were revised upwards to a 0.2% contraction from 0.3%, it added.

Eurozone GDP increased by 0.2% in the third quarter, according to official flash estimates. For the European Union as a whole, GDP was up 0.3%.

Meanwhile, eurozone economic sentiment picked up in October. The EC's economic sentiment indicator for the bloc rose 1.2 points to 96.8. The indicator for the European Union edged up one point to 96.7.

Oil prices fell slightly as investors digested the latest trade agreement between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

After a meeting in South Korea Trump agreed to cut tariffs on China to 47% from 57% in a one-year deal, in exchange for Beijing resuming purchases of US soybeans, the continuation of rare earth exports and a crackdown on the trade of the drug fentanyl.

"Yesterday's rally in oil prices proved to be short-lived. Brent Crude prices have dropped marginally to around $64.5 per barrel. The absence of a mention of a trade agreement on energy products after the summit between China and the US is playing on traders' minds," said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Derren Nathan.

"Meanwhile, a tightening of sanctions by the US on Russian oil exports hasn't alleviated concerns of a supply glut."

"US stock futures are trading broadly flat after a mixed performance on Wall Street yesterday. While the tech-led Nasdaq broke yet another record, the wider indices were down after a much-anticipated quarter point cut by the Fed. However, Jerome Powell's comment around a further reduction in December being far from a foregone conclusion saw some caution creep back into the market."

In equity news, shares in advertising group WPP slumped as it cut sales guidance for the year.

Consumer healthcare group Haleon gained after beating expectations for its third quarter revenue growth.

Norwegian defence contractor Konsgberg fell sharply after announcing a spinoff of its non-military maritime business.

Davide Campari surges as the drinks maker booked stronger quarterly earnings late on Wednesday.