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European stocks were mixed on Wednesday, with Middle East tensions, regional inflation data and central bank decisions in focus. <\/p>\n
Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route, has become a focal point of concern. Investors remain worried that disruption of oil flows through this narrow strait could hit global economy<\/span> hard. <\/p>\n In economic news, U.K. consumer price inflation softened in May largely due to easing transportation cost, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed.<\/p>\n The consumer price index registered an annual increase of 3.4 percent, slightly slower than the 3.5 percent rise seen in April. However, inflation was slightly above forecast of 3.3 percent.<\/p>\n The annual inflation rate in Austria edged down to 3.0 percent in May 2025 from 3.1 percent in the previous month, matching preliminary estimates.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Sweden’s central bank has cut its key policy rate to 2 percent and said there was a small chance of further easing later this year if economic weakness persists.<\/p>\n Later in the day, the Federal Reserve is widely expected to leave rates unchanged, but investors will scrutinize updated economic projections for clues to future moves.<\/p>\n The pan-European STOXX 600 slid 0.2 percent to 541.16 after falling 0.9 percent on Tuesday. <\/p>\n The German DAX eased 0.1 percent, France’s CAC 40 was marginally lower and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 was up 0.2 percent. <\/p>\n BP Plc and Shell were moving higher as oil prices held near five-month highs amid fears the U.S. may join Israel’s offensive against Iran.<\/p>\n Plane maker Airbus rallied over 3 percent after an announcement that it would increase shareholder returns in the coming years. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Business News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n