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Major European markets<\/span> closed lower on Monday after a lackluster session as investors stayed cautious, choosing to wait for the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy announcement, due on Wednesday, for clarity about the timing of interest rate cuts.<\/p>\n Investors also digested the latest batch of economic data from the region.<\/p>\n The pan European Stoxx 600 ended down 0.17%. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX edged down 0.06% and 0.02%, respectively, while France’s CAC 40 ended down by 0.2%. Switzerland’s SMI settled lower by 0.45%.<\/p>\n Among other markets in Europe, Belgium, Russia, Sweden and Turkiye closed weak.<\/p>\n Austria, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Portugal ended higher, while Iceland, Poland and Spain closed flat.<\/p>\n In the UK market, Phoenix Holdings, BT, Vodafone, United Utilities, Centrica, St. James’s Place, Severn Trent and Haleon lost 2 to 4%.<\/p>\n Schrodders, Berkeley Holdings, Associated British Foods, Anglo American Plc, Fresnillo, Compass Group, Diageo, Howden Joinery and Endeavour Mining also ended notably lower.<\/p>\n Beazley declined nearly 3%. British American Tobacco gained about 2.5% after the company started a \u00a31.6 billion ($2 billion) buyback program after selling part of its stake in India’s ITC.<\/p>\n Hikma Pharmaceuticals, SSE, Reckitt Benckiser, Unite Group, Land Securities, Legal & General, Scottish Mortgage and Imperial Brands gained 1 to 2.5%.<\/p>\n British Land Company shares climbed higher after the company announced the formation of a new 50:50 joint venture with Royal London Asset Management Property to boost the delivery of 1 Triton Square into a best-in-class science and innovation building at Regent’s Place.<\/p>\n In the German market, Adidas, Puma, Deutsche Post, Sartorius, Deutsche Bank, E.ON and Henkel lsot 1 to 2.5%.<\/p>\n Vonovia rallied nearly 3.5% and Porsche gained about 3.25%. Siemens Energy climbed nearly 3%. Zalando, Volkswagen, Covestro, Qiagen and Symrise also closed with strong gains.<\/p>\n In Paris, Teleperformance, WorldLine, Pernod Ricard, Essilor and Publicis Groupe lost 1 to 2.5%.<\/p>\n Alstom surged more than 6%. Thales, Unibail Rodamco, Bouygues, Dassault Systemes, Credit Agricole, Renault, Orange and ArcelorMittal also ended on firm note.<\/p>\n On the economic front, final data from Eurostat showed Eurozone inflation softened as estimated in February largely reflecting the decline in energy prices.<\/p>\n The harmonized index of consumer prices, or HICP posted an annual increase of 2.6% after rising 2.8% in January. The rate matched the flash estimate published on March 1.<\/p>\n Core inflation that excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco slowed to 3.1%, as estimated, from 3.3% a month ago. On a monthly basis, the HICP gained 0.6% in February, in line with the initial estimate.<\/p>\n The European Central Bank Staff projected overall inflation to average 2.3% this year, 2% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026.<\/p>\n The euro area trade surplus increased in January as exports increased amid falling imports, Eurostat reported. The trade surplus rose to a seasonally adjusted surplus of EUR 28.1 billion in January from EUR 14.3 billion in December.<\/p>\n Exports increased 2.1% on month, while imports decreased 4% in January.<\/p>\n UK house prices increased at a faster pace in December as the market continued its recovery after a muted 2023, the property website Rightmove said.<\/p>\n The average asking price grew 1.5% on a monthly basis in March, following a 0.9% rise in February. The rate was also higher than the historic average March increase of 1% and was also the strongest in ten months. On a yearly basis, house price growth advanced to 0.8% from 0.1% in February. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Market Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n