European stock markets end midweek mostly higher

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - European stock markets closed Wednesday mostly with gains.

The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index fell slightly, 0.02%, or 0.12 points, to close at 550.24.

On the other hand, Germany's DAX 40 rose 0.19% to 24,262.22 points, while the FTSE 100 index in London mildly gained 0.01% to 9,136.94.

France's CAC 40 index was up 0.06% to 7,861.96 points, and Italy's FTSE MIB 30 climbed 0.98% to 41,637.73.

And Spain's IBEX 35 index rose 0.23% to end at 14,380.6 points.

After the trade agreement between the US and the EU, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that Europe was "not feared enough."

"To be free, one must be feared. We have not been feared enough,” Macron was quoted as saying by BFM TV, citing a Council of Ministers source.

Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticized the European Commission, saying the deal weakened the bloc's geopolitical position.

In a post on social media, Borrell said the commission had adopted a flawed strategy by trying to "appease and flatter" US President Donald Trump, agreeing to purchase more American weapons and liquefied natural gas areas.

Meanwhile, investors are focused on the US Federal Reserve's policy rate decision to be announced later Wednesday. The central bank is expected to keep the rate constant in the 4.25%-4.50% range.

On the data side, the eurozone economy expanded by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter in the April-June period, beating forecasts.

The German economy has shrunk 0.1% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of the year, while expanding 0.4% on an annual basis.

The euro/US dollar parity was at 1.1470, down 0.66% as of 1640GMT.​​​​​​​