European stock markets mid session: most stocks traded lower after yesterday’s rally

Most stock indices traded lower after yesterday's rally. Stocks Tuesday rose on comments by the European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board Member Benoit Coeure. He said on Monday that the ECB plans to expand its asset purchases in May and June due to low market liquidity in July and August.

Investors monitor closely the debt talks between Greece and its creditors. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande Tuesday urged that the debt talks between Greece and its creditors should be accelerated. Merkel said that Greece and its creditors should reach a deal until the end of May. Hollande noted that Greece must stay in the Eurozone.

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) released its May meeting minutes on Wednesday. All members voted to keep the central bank's monetary policy unchanged.

MPC members noted that rising house prices in the U.K. posed renewed risks due to a shortage of new homes.

The Bank of England still expects the consumer inflation close to zero due to lower oil and commodity prices, but inflation should pick up by the end of this year.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,998.04 +2.94 +0.04 %

DAX 11,810.5 -42.83 -0.36 %

CAC 40 5,098.18 -19.12 -0.37 %