(Reuters) -European shares were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited progress on trade negotiations with the United States and monitored a slate of economic data from the region.
The continent-wide STOXX 600 index held its ground at 552.56 points, as of 0711 GMT, pausing after two consecutive sessions of gains driven by U.S. President Donald Trump’s reversal of tariff threats against the European Union.
European Union policymakers have asked the EU’s leading companies and CEOs to swiftly provide detail of their U.S. investment plans, according to two sources familiar with the matter, as Brussels prepares for trade talks with Washington.
Germany’s main stock index edged 0.1% higher, following a record closing peak on Tuesday. Data earlier in the day indicated that German import prices unexpectedly contracted by 0.4% year-on-year in April.
All eyes are now on the country’s employment data, scheduled for release later in the day.
France’s CAC 40 index was up 0.2% after gross domestic product figures showed slight growth in the first quarter, in line with expectations.
Shares of Kingfisher fell 2.3% as the home improvement retailer’s first-quarter results failed to impress investors.
Meanwhile, global markets were focused on upcoming quarterly results from AI chipmaker Nvidia, due after the close of trading on Wall Street.
(Reporting by Nikhil Sharma; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
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