European stocks mixed with focus on central banks

Europe's main stock markets were narrowly mixed on Wednesday as traders digested central bank updates for clues on interest rate movements from across the globe. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.19 percent to stand at 6,789.40 points around midday in the capital. Frankfurt's DAX 30 edged up 0.05 percent to 9,643.70 points and in Paris the CAC 40 slipped 0.26 percent to 4,440.95 compared with Tuesday's closing levels. Madrid's IBEX 35 index gained 0.11 percent to 10,465.60 points. Traders reacted to policy updates from the Bank of England (BoE) and Japan's central bank, awaiting minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest meeting. "Markets are looking for clues of policy intentions," said Neil MacKinnon, analyst at Russian financial group VTB Capital. "In the UK, a strong economic recovery... puts the pressure on the BoE to reconsider its dovish rate view. I think the BoE will have to raise rates sooner rather than later. In the US, (Federal Reserve chief) Janet Yellen remains super-dovish," he added. - Pound rallies - In foreign exchange, the euro slid to $1.3675 from $1.3701 late in New York on Tuesday. The European single currency sank to a 16-month low at 80.92 pence, which was down from 81.36 pence on Tuesday. The British pound jumped to $1.6888 from $1.6840. "A strong UK retail sales report and a slight hawkish tone to the BoE minutes has prompted a spike in sterling," said Craig Erlam, market analyst at Alpari traders. Minutes from the Bank of England's latest meeting indicated policymakers were edging towards hiking its key lending rate from 0.50 percent amid increasing optimism over the economic outlook. The decision to keep rates on hold was "becoming more balanced" for some members of the nine-strong monetary policy committee, according to minutes from the central bank's May 7-8 gathering. However, with inflation holding below the BoE's 2.0-percent target, policymakers opted for no change in borrowing costs, which have now stood at a record-low 0.50 percent since March 2009. On the corporate front, Commerzbank shares were 1.0-percent higher at 11.23 euros, as Germany's second-biggest bank said it has suspended two foreign exchange traders suspected of being involved in the rigging of exchange rates. Burberry  was flat at 1,515 pence after the luxury fashion group reported a jump in annual profits, as new head Christopher Bailey said expansion in Japan would help the company build on record sales. Asia's stock markets diverged on Wednesday after a tumble on Wall Street, with Tokyo weighed by a stronger yen as the Bank of Japan held off fresh monetary easing measures and said the economy was picking up. US shares took a dive on Tuesday in response to a barrage of mostly disappointing earnings from retailers, while downward pressure was increased after a Fed president called for interest rates to be hiked. Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Charles Plosser said borrowing costs may have to be raised sooner than later. While most analysts expect an increase well into next year, the dearth of any other strong catalysts led traders to take their cash off the table. Since the start of the yer the US central bank has been reducing its stimulus programme, which helps keep rates subdued, as the economy shows signs of improving. Markets will get a better insight into the thinking of the Fed's policy board when minutes from its most recent meeting are released later in the day. Elsewhere on Wednesday, the price of gold fell to $1,292.94 an ounce on the London Bullion Market from $1,295.80 on Tuesday.