European exchanges closed lower today in spite of a strong opening on Wall Street and better-than-expected economic data from the US.
In London the FTSE 100 dropped 0.14% to end at 6,559 points, while in Paris the CAC 40 shed 0.53% to 6,017 points and in Frankfurt the Dax 30 lost 0.32% to 7,481 points.
In London, the biggest faller was clothes retailer Next. The price of shares in Next shed nearly 6.5% to 2,247 pence after the group published a disappointing trading statement ahead of its annual shareholders meeting.
In Dublin the ISEQ was down 45 points at 9,564 with Aer Lingus down two percent at €2.91.
Ryanair was down 5% at €5.30 after announcing one million free seats on routes from its six Irish airports and bank of Ireland closed up 1.7% at €16.50.
As European markets closed, on Wall Street the Dow Jones gained 0.15% to 13,404 in early trading after a record close on Tuesday of 13,383.
The Nasdaq climbed 0.26% to 2,531 after data showing US housing starts notched up a surprise rebound in April, rising 2.5%, and industrial production increased a stronger-than-expected 0.7%.
Earlier today in Tokyo the Nikkei closed up 0.09% at 17,529 points on Wednesday.
