European markets cautious, Milan weighs effect of coupon payments

European stock markets were mixed on Thursday as investors monitored the macroeconomic outlook and awaited key economic data later in the session.

The FTSE 100 index in London gained 0.3% to 7,940.77, the DAX index in Frankfurt rose 0.2% to 15,548.05, and the CAC 40 index in Paris was flat at 6,692.11. The FTSE MIB index in Milan fell 0.3% to 27,229.13, weighed down by the impact of coupon payments on Italian government bonds.

In Milan, the sell-off in banking stocks led the decline, with UniCredit down 2.2%, Intesa Sanpaolo down 1.8%, and Banco BPM down 1.5%.

Investors were also cautious ahead of the release of key economic data later in the session, including the US consumer price index (CPI) and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index. The CPI is expected to show a slight increase in inflation, while the consumer sentiment index is expected to remain at a low level.

Elsewhere in Europe, the Stoxx 600 index of European shares was up 0.1% to 461.84. Among the sectors, technology and healthcare stocks were the best performers, while utilities and real estate stocks were the worst performers.

On the currency markets, the euro was down 0.1% against the US dollar at $1.0887, while the British pound was up 0.1% against the US dollar at $1.2447.