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European stocks close mixed as major central banks eye interest rate decisions
European stock markets closed mixed on Tuesday, December 17, as investors awaited monetary policy decisions from a number of major central banks this week.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 2.17 points, or 0.42%, to 513.66 at the close, with almost all sectors in negative territory.
The European banking index led the losses, falling 1.4%, while technology stocks were the exception, rising 0.61%.
The German DAX index closed the session down 67.44 points, or 0.33%, to 20,246.37.
The UK’s FTSE 100 index also fell 66.85 points, or 0.81%, to close at 8,195.20.
While the French CAC 40 index rose by about 8.62 points or 0.12% at the close to 7365.70 points.
The pivotal point for global markets this week is the US Federal Reserve's last policy meeting this year, which continues on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Fed is scheduled to issue a statement at the end of the meeting amid expectations of a rate cut.
