Market Update
European markets were little changed ahead of a monetary policy decision from the ECB due later in the day.
The FTSE edged up 0.2%. The CAC 40 Paris edged up 0.1% while the DAX slipped 0.1%.
The ECB is widely expected to impose negative interest rates.
Earlier, data showed better-than-expected factory orders in Germany. New purchase orders placed with manufacturers in May rose 3.1%, up from a fall of 2.8% in April, and better than expectations calling for a gain of just 1.3%.
In the U.K., the Halifax House Price Index for May rose 3.9%, better than expectations calling for a 0.7% increase.
Investors are also eyeing an interest rate decision from the Bank of England, due slightly later, along with retail sales data from the euro-zone.
Stocks on the Move
Aussie miner BHP Billiton was down about a percent in London. Other miners were also lower.
Over in Paris, Remy Cointreau was up 1.9% as it reversed early losses after reporting results.
Deutsche Telekom AG was up over a percent even as reports said the company is nearing an agreement with Sprint to sell most of its stake in T-Mobile.
Deutsche Bank edged 0.3% lower.
Henkel gained 0.4% as it agreed to buy French laundry products group Spotless for about 940 million euros.