European stock markets mid session: stocks traded lower on the Fed’s minutes

Stock indices traded lower on the Fed's minutes. The Fed released its April monetary policy meeting minutes on Wednesday. The minutes showed that most Fed officials would support an interest rate hike in June if the U.S. economy continued to improve.

Oil prices also weighed on stock markets. Oil prices traded lower on a stronger U.S. dollar and on U.S. crude inventories data. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday, U.S. crude inventories rose by 1.3 million barrels to 541.3 million in the week to May 13. Analysts had expected U.S. crude oil inventories to decline by 3.16 million barrels.

Market participants also eyed the economic data from the Eurozone. The Eurostat released its construction production data for the Eurozone on Thursday. Construction production in the Eurozone declined 0.9% in March, after a 0.6% fall in February. February's figure was revised up from a 1.1% drop. Civil engineering output slid 2.0% in March, while production in the building sector was down 0.8%.

On a yearly basis, construction output fell 0.5% in March, after a 3.4% gain in February. February's figure was revised up from a 2.5% increase.

The Office for National Statistics released its retail sales data for the U.K. on Thursday. Retail sales in the U.K. climbed 1.3% in April, exceeding expectations for a 0.5% gain, after a 0.5% decline in March. March's figure was revised up from a 1.3% decrease.

Food sales were up 0.1% in April, while non-food store sales increased 2.5%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. jumped 4.3% in April, beating forecasts of a 2.5% increase, after a 3.0% rise in March. March's figure was revised up from a 2.7% gain.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,079.21 -86.59 -1.40 %

DAX 9,784.13 -159.10 -1.60 %

CAC 40 4,277.46 -41.84 -0.97 %