European stock markets traded sideways today

European stock markets traded sideways today, ignoring disappointing eco data. US stock markets also opened nearly unchanged.

Sentiment towards the euro zone economy edged down, but stayed buoyant in March. The European Commission's monthly sentiment main index dipped to 107.9 points from 108.0 in February, remaining well above its long‐term average of 100.

German consumer inflation slowed more sharply than expected in March. German HICP rose by 1.5 Y/Y after reaching a cycle high of 2.2 percent in February. Spanish inflation also tumbled from 3.0% Y/Y to 2.1%. Today's data of the EMU member states indicate a substantial easing of the preliminary EMU inflation to be released tomorrow.

The Czech Central bank kept its policy rate unchanged at ‘technically zero'. The bank also maintained the cap on the koruna exchange rate. However, the bank indicated that the koruna cap may end at time after the hard pledge expires.

South African President Jacob Zuma's battles with his finance minister threaten a long‐sought decline in the country's inflation rate, the governor of the country's central bank warned as the bank announced it would keep its interest rates on hold at 7%.

US eco data were mixed with a small upward revision to Q4 GDP from 2% Q/Qa to 2.1% Q/Qa, on the back of stronger than forecast personal consumption (3.5% Q/Qa). US weekly jobless claims were higher than expected at 258k, while a decline from 261k to 247k was expected.

More than one in two French voters believe struggling Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon should drop out of the presidential race in favour of a rival left‐winger who has overtaken him in surveys of voting intentions, a poll showed.

Cleveland Fed Mester says additional interest‐rate increases will be needed if economy continues to improve as expected. She would also be comfortable with changing the reinvestment policy to the shrink balance sheet, beginning later this year