European markets close mixed, US indices in negative territory

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Major indices on European stock exchanges closed mixed on Wednesday, while US indices were in negative territory after a weak opening.

Some European indices were down for the third consecutive day with worries amid rising coronavirus infections around the world.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, was up slightly by 0.64 points, or 0.14%, to 474.42. Germany's DAX 30 rose 44 points, or 0.28%, to 15,965.

Italy's FTSE MIB increased 132 points, or 0.5%, 26,357, while Spain's IBEX 35 gained the most in Europe by adding 104 points, or 1.18%, to 8,970.

London's FTSE 100, however, lost 11 points, or 0.16%, to 7,169, while the French CAC 40 declined 49, or 0.73%, to 6,770.

Major American stock exchanges opened lower, and they were still in negative territory before the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last meeting.

The Dow Jones was down 61 points, or 0.17%, at 35,283, while the S&P 500 fell 7, or 0.16%, to 4,440 points.

The Nasdaq was flat around 14,656.

The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, was up for the third day in a row by adding 1.45% to 18.17.

The dollar index climbed up 0.1% to 94.24, and the yield on 10-year US Treasury notes jumped 1.9% to 1.282%.

Precious metals were in negative as gold fell 0.16% to $1,783 per ounce, and silver lost 0.9% to $23.45.

Oil prices were also down with Brent crude losing 0.9% to $68.39 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate fell 1.3% to $65.50.