The main European indicators showed, for the most part, a decrease of 0.2-1%. Only the German DAX indicator showed a slight increase, adding 0.1%, while all other indices declined: the consolidated STOXX Europe 600 lost 0.21%, approximately the same (0.2% each) – the French CAC 40 and the British FTSE 100. The Spanish IBEX 35 decreased more than others – by 0.5%, as well as the Italian FTSE MIB – by 1%.
The main reason for investors' concern was the latest US inflation report, which increased by 9.1% last month. This exceeded the expectations of experts who predicted its increase to 8.8% from the May mark of 8.6%. The indicator has reached record levels over the past more than 40 years.
With a high degree of probability, in order to combat the continuing rise in consumer prices, the US central bank will be forced to take tougher measures to regulate monetary policy at a faster pace, that is, to raise the interest rate by another 75 points at the meeting this month. Traders fear that such drastic and harsh measures could lead to an economic downturn in the global economy.
Also, statistical data on inflation in European countries were published on Wednesday. So, in Spain, the rate of inflation growth last month was 10.2%, and in France – 5.8% year-on-year. These marks are a record for the last 37 years.
Another important event is the release of corporate reports of American companies for the second quarter, which will begin this week. JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley will provide their reports on Thursday.
Some of the European companies have already published their reports.
Despite the fact that Ericsson AB managed to raise its net profit for the second quarter by 22%, this result turned out to be worse than market forecasts. In this regard, the value of the company's securities decreased by 8.3%.
The stock prices of Dr. Martens PLC fell by 0.7%, despite the fact that the company's results for the first quarter of the financial year fully coincided with the forecasts of the company itself and third-party experts.
After the announcement of Deutsche Telekom AG about the upcoming major deal to sell a controlling stake in its GD Towers division for a total of 17.5 billion euros, the quotes of its securities decreased by 1%.
The value of Pepco Group N.V. shares increased by 1% due to a 17% increase in revenue and confirmation of the forecast for the current fiscal year.
