European markets close mixed as inflation hits record high

By Ovunc Kutlu


ANKARA (AA) – European stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday as inflation in the euro area hits a record high.

Annual euro area inflation hit a new record high of 5.1% in January, according to a flash estimate of preliminary data from Eurostat. The figure was up from 5% in December.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, was up 2.15 points, or 0.45%, to close at 477.01.

The UK's FTSE 100 index gained 47 points, or 0.63%, to end the day at 7,583. France's CAC 40 added 15 points, or 0.22%, to reach 7,115 points.

Italy's FTSE MIB increased 163 points, or 0.6%, to close at 27,388 points.

Germany's DAX 30, on the other hand, fell 5.62 points, or 0.04%, to end the day at 15,613.

Spain's IBEX 35 declined 13.5 points, or 0.15%, to finish at 8,713.