European stock markets closed lower after Fed and BoE interest rate decisions

At the close, the benchmark index Stoxx Europe 600 lost 0.78 percent to 536.11 points.

The DAX 40 index in Germany fell by 1.12 percent to 23,056.71 points, and the CAC 40 index in France fell by 1.34 percent to 7,553.45 points.

In Italy, the FTSE MIB 30 index lost 1.21 percent to 38,942.19 points, and in the UK, the FTSE 100 index fell 0.58 percent to 8,791.8 points.

The euro/dollar parity decreased by 0.192 percent as of 19:06 GMT, and is at 1.146.

While the Fed's decision to keep the policy rate unchanged yesterday and the effects of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East were being followed in global markets, on the European side today the BoE also kept the policy rate unchanged at 4.25 percent in line with market expectations.

The BoE reiterated that the data-driven approach to future interest rate decisions will continue, pointing out that escalating tensions in the Middle East have increased energy prices, which could lead to inflationary pressures.