European Exchanges Close Lower After ECB Keeps Rates Steady

European stock exchanges closed Thursday with losses after the European Central Bank (ECB) kept interest rates unchanged.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, fell 2.04 points, or 0.4%, to finish at 504.55.

The UK's FTSE 100 lost 37 points, or 0.47%, to end the session at 7,923. Germany's DAX 30 shed 142 points, or 0.79%, to close at 17,954.

Italy's FTSE MIB, meanwhile, decreased 325 points, or 0.96%, to 33,713.

France's CAC 40 trimmed 21 points, or 0.27%, to close the day at 8,023.

Spain's IBEX 35 was the worst performer of the day, plummeting 125 points, or 1.16%, to end at 10,649.

The ECB said the interest rate on the main refinancing operations, marginal lending facility, and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 4.5%, 4.75% and 4% respectively. -