Before a series of monetary policy announcements on the Old Continent during the day, European stock markets should be hesitant at the opening on Thursday.

Argan is holding its annual general meeting on Thursday. Bénéteau will publish its annual results after the close of the Paris Stock Exchange

Vaccine manufacturer Valneva has confirmed its financial goals for 2025, after sharply reducing its net loss last year.

Around 7:50, the CAC 40 futures contract lost 0.1%, according to data from broker IG.

As investors assimilate what the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced on Wednesday evening, European equity markets are expected to open close to balance on Thursday. They are also waiting for monetary policy decisions from the Bank of England (BOE), the Swiss National Bank and the Riksbank later today

According to data from broker IG, the DAX 40 futures contract in Frankfurt fell by 0.1%, like the one on the FTSE 100, around 7:50am. The BOE should leave its rates unchanged and continue to signal that future cuts will be gradual

According to analysts at Danske Bank, markets should react moderately to the BOE decision. They expect the central bank to reaffirm its intention to proceed cautiously and gradually when it comes to reducing its rates.

The New York Stock Exchange ended sharply higher on Wednesday after announcements from the Fed, which maintained its outlook for lower rates this year despite continued inflation and economic uncertainty.

The Dow Jones Index (DJIA) ended up 0.9%, at 41,964.63 points, and the expanded S&P 500 index gained 1.1%, at 5,675.29 points. The Nasdaq Composite, rich in technological stocks, gained 1.4% to 17,750.79 points

As expected, the Fed left its key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, in a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, and was cautious about the rise in risks to the American economy since the Trump administration's charge on the rights of customs.

The central bank lowered its growth forecast for the American economy from 2.1% to 1.7% this year and raised its inflation forecast to 2.7% from 2.5% previously.
In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.5% at the end of the session, while the Hang Seng fell by 1.8% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Tokyo Stock Exchange is closed for a holiday.

The 10-year US Treasury bond yield fell 5 basis points to 4.24%. Around 7:40 a.m., that of the two-year stock fell by 5.5 basis points, to 3.99%.

The greenback gave up 0.3% against the Japanese currency, at 148.27 yen, around 7:40am. The euro lost 0.1% to 1.0898

The May contract for soft light crude (WTI) listed on Nymex rose by 45 cents, or 0.7%, to $67.36 per barrel. The May North Sea Brent contract listed in London gained 47 cents, or 0.7%, to $71.25 per barrel, around 7:40am