Europe close: Stocks end session slightly lower but off lows
By Alexander Bueso
Date: Saturday 19 Apr 2025
(Sharecast News) - European stock markets were slightly lower on Thursday but ended the day off their worst levels after the European Central Bank cut interest rates ahead the long Easter weekend.
The ECB lowered its main interest rates by 25 basis points, as had been widely anticipated, with the deposit rate falling to 2.25%.
By the end of the session the Stoxx 600 had drifted lower by 0.13% to 506.42, while Germany's Dax gave back 0.49% to 21,205.86.
Spain's Ibex 35 meanwhile slipped 0.19% to 12,918.0.
Most major markets would remain closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday.
In fresh economic data, Destatis reported a 0.7% month-on-month drop in German producer prices during the month of March (consensus: -0.2%).
In equity news, shares in Siemens Energy were up 4% in Frankfurt after the firm hiked its guidance for the full-year on the back of strong demand for gas turbines, gas services and electricity.
London's J Sainsbury was also on the rise after the supermarket chain reported a strong set of full-year results, with solid momentum across its grocery business and a significantly strengthened balance sheet supporting further shareholder returns.
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