LIVE MARKETS-STOXX 600 soft, luxury in focus

Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com

STOXX 600 SOFT, LUXURY IN FOCUS

Major European equity markets are mostly lower on Thursday as investors await the ECB policy decision, with luxury shares lagging after results from Hermes and Moncler.

The STOXX 600 .STOXX is last down about 0.3%, with major bourses mostly slightly lower.

Looking below the surface, luxury stocks Moncler MONC.MI and Hermes HRMS.PA are both down over 2% after results.

On the upside, energy shares .SXEP lead gainers, supported by Siemens Energy ENR1n.DE. Shares are up 12%, on track for their biggest daily jump since November, after it raised guidance.

In total, 145 shares are advancing and 431 are declining in the pan-continental benchmark.

Looking ahead, eyes are on the ECB, where a 25 basis point rate cut is expected, as the central bank looks to prop up the ailing economy that is expected to take another hit from U.S. import tariffs.

Here's your opening snapshot:

(Samuel Indyk)

Trying to keep up with the latest tariff news?

Our new daily news digest offers a rundown of the top market-moving headlines impacting global trade. Sign up for Tariff Watch here.

THURSDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: CAUTIOUS START BEFORE ECB CLICK HERE

NO SURPRISE AT JAPAN TALKS, EXCEPT TRUMP CLICK HERE