European shares are intact to lower as sentiment fluctuates

On Thursday, European equities started steady to lower because fresh tensions in Washington affected market sentiment and traders awaited euro zone inflation data due to be issued later in the day.

The EURO STOXX 50 sagged 0.01%, Germany’s DAX 30 dipped 0.12% and France’s CAC 40 soared 0.01% higher.

Market participants were still cautious after Donald Trump dared to disband two high-profile business advisory councils, thus spurring worries over his ability to proceed with his economic reforms.

Traders were also waiting for a final report on euro zone consumer price inflation, not to mention the minutes of the European Central Bank’s recent policy gathering for potential clues on when the major financial institution will start tapering its asset purchase program.

Wednesday’s reports disclosed that ECB President Mario Draghi isn’t going to roll out any fresh monetary policy clues during the US Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole conference.

FTSE 100 inched down 0.17% in London, suppressed by Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, whose equities declined 8.50% having lowered its guidance for 2017 generics sales.