While the FTSE largely maintained its bright start, the Eurozone saw its momentum sapped by the latest downbeat data from the region.
Climbing 0.6%, the UK index continued to lurk near 7000 without being able to break through that key level. Though the macro-mood may have weakened, especially when compared to the sizeable growth seen soon after the bell, the FTSE was propped up by some key earnings, namely Shell's (LON:RDSa) 4% rise and Diageo's (LON:DGE) share buyback-inspired 4.3% increase.
The DAX, which at one point had pushed past 11300 as it rose 1.2%, saw its growth reduced to just 0.1% as Thursday went on, hurt by both the news that Italy tipped into recession at the end of 2018, and the 3.6% fall from Deutsche Bank (DE:DBKGn) following reports of a possible merger with Commerzbank (DE:CBKG). The CAC's climb down wasn’t quite as drastic, though it did dip back under 5000 as its gains were trimmed from 1% to 0.4%. The Italian FTSE MIB, meanwhile, dropped half a percent.
Following last night’s Fed-led surge, the Dow Jones is looking at a damp open this afternoon, one that would see the index unchanged at 25000. Any movement may be dependent on what details leak out from the US-China trade talks in Washington, with Thursday being the second (and final) day of Vice Premier Liu He’s visit.
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