Market Update
European markets traded flat Thursday following four consecutive days of gains.
The FTSE edged up 0.1%. The CAC 40 Paris slipped 0.2% while the German DAX was off 0.1% after ending at an all-time high Wednesday.
Germany's Federal Statistical Office said earlier today that consume price inflation rose last month to 0.4% in December, in line with expectations.
Inflation data is due from the euro zone later in the day and investors are also focused on the European Central Bank's monthly report on the economy.
The U.S. is also due to publish reports on consumer price inflation before the opening bell on Wall Street, along with initial jobless claims, and data on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is to speak at an event in Washington later in the day.
Stocks on the Move
Rio Tinto rose 1.4% in London on an upbeat production update.
United Utilities Group PLC jumped 4.4% after a broker upgrade.
Experian PLC was marginally higher after it said its CFO Brian Cassin will replace Don Robert as CEO effective July 16. The company also posted a 7% increase in third-quarter revenue and said it expects similar growth in the second half of the year.
Associated British Foods PLC was down 2.5%. The company reported bumper Christmas sales at its budget clothing chain Primark but said trading at its sugar business was weaker than expected.
French retailer Carrefour dropped 2.9% after reporting results.
Beiersdorf AG was up 1.1% after the company reported a slight increase in sales last year and stuck to its earnings guidance. The company will present full data on March 4.
Swiss RE AG lost 1.2% after a broker downgrade.
Swiss watch-and-jewelry maker Richemont fell 2.1% after third-quarter sales came in short of expectations as business in China lessened.