European stocks retreat on Fed’s Williams talk of QE exit

European equities retreated on Friday trading session, edging off multi-year highs as a Federal Reserve policy maker said the central bank may begin slowing the pace of its $85 billion in monthly bond-buying amid signs the economy is gradually gaining strength.

- STOXX Europe 600 lost 0.38 percent or 1.18 points to 306.79

- STX Europe 50 fell 0.45 percent or 12.54 points to 2,802.25

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams said on Friday that quickening economic growth and an improving labor market may prompt the central bank to start pulling its $85 billion of monthly bond purchases by summer.

- French CAC 40 edged 0.39% lower to 3,963.47

- German DAX lost 0.33% to 8,341.90

- British FTSE 100 fell 0.22% to0 6,672.86

European stock markets ended Thursday slightly lower, weighed by downbeat data from the U.S. where hopes of a strong recovery in the world’s largest economy to boost global growth were set back.

Data released from U.S. labor department on Thursday showed Initial claims for jobless benefits rose unexpectedly by 32,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 360,000, the biggest one-week increase since November.

As of 12:07 (GMT+3), the dollar index hovered around 84.03 after opening at 83.88; USDIX hit a high of 84.12 and a low of 83.88.