European stock markets mid session: stocks traded higher ahead of the Fed’s policy meeting

Stock indices traded higher ahead of the Fed's policy meeting. Market participants expect the Fed will cut its asset purchase program by another $10 billion. Market participants also speculate the Fed will start to hike its interest rate sooner than expected.

Eurostat said today consumer price inflation was revised up to an annual rate of 0.4% in August from a preliminary reading of 0.3%.

Eurozone's consumer price index excluding food, energy, alcohol, and tobacco costs increased 0.9% in August.

The unemployment rate in the U.K. fell to 6.2% in July from 6.4% in June, beating expectations for a decline to 6.3%. That was the lowest level since late 2008.

The average earnings index including bonuses increased 0.6% in the three months to July, beating forecast of a 0.5% rise, after a 0.1% decline in the three months to June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.2% drop.

The average earnings index excluding bonuses climbed 0.7% in the three months to July, after a 0.7% gain in the three months to June. June's figure was revised up from a 0.6% increase.

Two members of Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale, voted for the second consecutive month to raise interest rates to 0.75% from 0.5%.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 6,807.37 +15.13 +0.22%

DAX 9,683.82 +50.89 +0.53%

CAC 40 4,441.75 +32.60 +0.74%