European stocks rise in cautious trading ahead of US rate decision

European stocks rose slightly on Wednesday in cautious trading over most of the financial markets in Europe, awaiting the results of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting, which is expected to see the first cut in US interest rates in the last 10 years, in a move primarily to protect the world's largest economy from growing risks.

As of 11:15 GMT, Stoxx Europe 600 rose less than 0.1%, and the index ended yesterday's session down by 1.5%, after US President Donald Trump launched escalating statements again on the trade war with China.

Stoxx Europe index rose marginally on morning trade on Wednesday as investors avoided risk, ahead of the US interest rate decision, with most of Europe's main stock exchanges and sectors in mixed regions.

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point for the first time since December 2008, in a precautionary measure to protect the US economy from the rising risks.

Investors are looking forward for the monetary policy statement and comments by Fed's Governor Jerome Powell, to find any signs of easing that the US central bank may accept this year to support the economy.

S&P 500 futures rose by more than 0.1%, while the index ended yesterday's session on Wall Street down by 0.3%, the second daily loss in a row, with the continuation of corrections and profit taking, from its record high at 3,027.98 points.

In Europe, Euro Stoxx 50 index rose by 0.1%, while in France, the CAC 40 index gained 0.1%, with Germany's DAX adding 0.3% to top the gainers list in Europe.

In London, the FTSE 100 fell by more than 0.6 percent, ahead of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Northern Ireland to try to solve the Irish border crisis that hampers a final agreement on Britain's exit from the European Union.