European Stock Futures Mixed; Powell Reassures But Covid Worries Exist

European Stock Futures Mixed; Powell Reassures But Covid Worries Exist

© Reuters.







By Peter Nurse 

Investing.com - European stock markets are seen opening mixed Thursday, with investors digesting a reassuring statement from the Federal Reserve as well as problems with the region's Covid vaccination program.

At 2:05 AM ET (0705 GMT), the contract in Germany traded 0.3% higher, in France climbed 0.3% but the contract in the U.K. fell 0.5%.

The Federal Reserve concluded its two-day on Wednesday, and reassured investors that it was committed to maintaining an accommodative monetary policy for some time. 

Chairman indicated that while inflation is expected to reach 2.4% this year, above the central bank's 2% target, this would be a temporary surge and he did not currently see the Fed raising its benchmark overnight interest rate through 2023. 

The Fed also projected the U.S. economy will grow by a hefty 6.5% this year, thanks in part to massive federal fiscal stimulus and optimism around the success of coronavirus vaccines.

Back in Europe, the region's vaccination