18.12.202506:02:59UTC+00European Stocks Head for Lower Open

On Thursday, European stock markets were poised to open slightly lower as investors prepared for a significant wave of central bank policy announcements throughout the region. The Bank of England is anticipated to lower its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.75% due to diminishing inflationary pressures. However, policymakers are expected to indicate that further rate cuts may not be imminent. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is likely to maintain its rates at 2%, with a possible upgrade to its growth forecasts. Both Sweden’s Riksbank and Norway’s Norges Bank are expected to keep their policies stable at 1.75% and 4%, respectively. On the corporate side, British energy giant BP has appointed Meg O’Neill as its forthcoming chief executive officer, following less-than-stellar returns from its strategic move towards renewable energy. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 futures decreased by 0.1%, and Stoxx 600 futures fell by 0.2%.