European stock indices rose today, as investors turned optimistic about the possibility that the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) will signal a pause in the 14-month cycle of monetary tightening after raising interest rates for one last time later in the day.
The European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.2% by 07:15 GMT, after a sharp sell-off in the previous session. Oil and gas stocks topped the index’s gains, up 0.6%, recovering from losses in yesterday’s session, “Tuesday.” While shares of auto companies fell 0.8%.
Investors expect the Federal Reserve to continue raising interest rates by a quarter of a basis point at the end of its latest two-day monetary policy meeting.
