European stocks mixed amid cautious trades, Fed in focus

FXStreet (Mumbai) - The European stocks traded choppy on Thursday, fluctuating between gains and losses, as traders remain unnerved as attention shifts to the Fed, which is deciding whether to lift its interest rates for the first time since 2006.

The London’s benchmark, the FTSE 100, turned lower following the release of UK’s retail sales data, as markets were left unimpressed by in line with estimates UK’s economic data.

The UK retail sales data for August showed a 0.2% rise on a monthly basis, a slight increase from no growth previously seen, while 3.7% growth was recorded y/y, after a stronger 4.1% expansion.

Germany's DAX 30 index pared losses and now trades 0.13% higher at 10,240, while the UK's FTSE 100 index loses -0.19% to 6,218. Among the other indices, the French CAC 40 index trades muted at 4,648, while the pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index trades marginally higher at 3,254.

Later in the day, all eyes will turn to the US where the Fed concludes its meeting to decide whether to finally lift its interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, or maintain the "wait-and-see mode" until December.