Major stock indices in Europe moderately lower

European stocks mostly lower after the stock prices of oil and technology companies declined.

Statistical data on the UK economy, published on Wednesday, pointed to the preservation of the country's labor market flexibility, despite Brexit, and offer support to the British stock markets.

The number of applications for unemployment benefits in the UK fell unexpectedly in July, by 8.6 thousand., after rising 900 applications in June, according to the country's National Statistical Management (ONS).

In the second quarter of 2016 the number of employees in the UK has increased by 172 thousand persons to a record 31.8 million people. Unemployment rate was 4.9% in April-June, as well as in March-May, the rwage growth accelerated to 2.3% from 2.2%.

At the same time, investors await the FOMC minutes in the search for clues on the timing of the next rate hike.

Investors remain cautious after the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York William Dudley said the Fed is approaching the point where it would be appropriate to raise interest rates.

In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart declared the possibility of two rate increases in 2016.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 fell during trading 0,4% - to 341.97 points.

Shares of BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Total fell 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.6% on renewed decline of oil prices.

Shares of ASML Holding NV, Europe's largest manufacturer of equipment for the production of semiconductors, dropped by 6%.

Shares of the Dutch bank ABN Amro jumped 4.9%. The bank, which reduced net income in the second quarter by 35%, announced its intention to reduce costs in the area of ​​support and control of operations by 25%, or 200 million euros next year.

Securities of mining companies show mixed results: BHP Billiton shares rose 1%, Antofagasta - fell by 0.7%.

The capitalization of the British insurer Admiral Group fell by 8%. The company increased its pre-tax profit in the first half by 4.3% and raised its dividend by 23%, but warned that market volatility after the British decision to withdraw from the European Union (Brexit) have a negative impact on its creditworthiness.

Wienerberger Shares fell 8.2%, as the company warned of the negative impact of the currency against the background of the weakness of the pound sterling.

Carlsberg Shares slipped 4.1% as the Danish brewer introduced semi-annual results, which were below analysts' expectations, but said that will keep the forecast for 2016 due to the progress in the implementation of the cost reduction strategies.

Meanwhile, shares of Balfour Beatty rose by 7.7%, as the construction company resumed dividend payments.

At the moment:

FTSE 6894.32 0.40 0.01%

DAX 10603.81 -72.84 -0.68%

CAC 4444.40 -16.04 -0.36%