European stock markets mid session: stocks traded mixed ahead of Fed monetary policy decision

European stocks traded mixed ahead of Fed monetary policy decision. Market participants are expecting the Fed will taper its asset purchase program at the usual rate of US$10 billion per month to US$45 billion per month.

The inflation in the Eurozone in April was better than in the previous month. The harmonised consumer price index climbed 0.7% in April (March: 0.5%). Analysts expected a rise of 0.8%.

Alstom SA shares increased 9.5% after Alstom confirmed that the company is discussing an acquisition of its energy business, by General Electric.

Royal Dutch Shell Plc was up 4.0% after announcing the lower-than-expected fall of its profit in the first quarter.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                              6,783.95                              +14.04                     +0.21%

DAX                                      9,589.14                              +5.02                     +0.05%

CAC 40                                 4,483.79                              -13.89                     -0.31%