European shares slip ahead of inflation data

European shares fell in choppy trading on Thursday after a member of the European Central Bank’s board of directors hinted at another big interest rate hike next month even as recession risks intensified, with inflation data for July due later on Thursday awaiting.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.1 percent, hovering near its lowest level in a week.

Mining companies and banks led the losses, while energy shares rose 0.4 percent as crude oil prices stabilized.

European Central Bank Governing Council member Isabelle Schnabel said euro zone inflation expectations have shown little improvement since a 50 basis point interest rate hike in July, indicating that she favors another big rate hike next month.

The minutes of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting did not provide any positive indications on Wednesday about the pace of US interest rate hikes.

Investors are now focused on the euro zone consumer price inflation data for July, due at 0900 GMT.

Among European shares, the Swiss company Geberit, the plumbing supplies manufacturer, fell 3.4 percent after it said that its quarterly profit fell by a fifth in light of the sharp rise in prices.

Aden shares were among the biggest losers, dropping 13.6 percent after the Dutch payments company published first-half results.