London (AFP) - Europe's stock markets wavered Wednesday as investors digested news that UK inflation has spiked to a 40-year peak, stoking fear over the economic impact of sky-high global consumer prices.
London stocks eased 0.1 percent as official data showed British inflation hit 9 percent in April on runaway energy costs.
The news sent the pound sliding on fear that the cost-of-living crisis will spark a recession in Britain, in line with the Bank of England's recent forecast.
In the eurozone, Frankfurt equities flatlined and Paris also shed 0.1 percent in value.
Recession 'increasingly inevitable'
"It's been a relatively flat day so far," OANDA analyst Craig Erlam told AFP.
"A recession is looking increasingly inevitable in the UK and other countries...if the inflation data does not improve.
"That does not bode well for equity markets."
The technical definition of a recession is two quarters of economic contraction in a row.
Investors remain on red alert over decades-high inflation, which has surged around the world as Russia's invasion of Ukraine fuels spiking energy and food prices.
That in turn has sparked interest rate hikes from major central banks including the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve, as they seek to contain runaway prices.
Asian equities traded mixed on Wednesday, despite strong Wall Street gains after brisk US retail sales data.
The Fed's monetary policy tightening has sent jolts through markets this year, deepening the apprehension of investors already roiled by China's Covid-19 lockdowns and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
But there was some good news out of the United States, with data showing increased spending by Americans in April.Retail sales rose 0.9 percent -- partly boosted by a rebound in auto purchases.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that there needs to be "clear" evidence that US inflation is coming down before efforts to cool the economy can be pulled back.
And he acknowledged that it may be a "bumpy" ride that would inflict some pain.
The world's largest economy also faces the fastest inflation in around four decades, prompting the Fed to go to battle to try to cool price pressures.
It announced earlier this month the biggest interest rate increase since 2000.
Powell said policymakers agree another aggressive increase is "on the table" in June and July.
Key figures at around 1115 GMT
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 7,510.88 points
Frankfurt - DAX: FLAT at percent at 14,189.08
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.1 percent at 6,421.52
EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,734.18
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.2 percent at 20,644.28 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,085.98 (close)
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.9 percent at 26,911.20 (close)
New York - Dow: UP 1.3 percent at 32,654.59 (close)
Brent North Sea crude: UP 1.1 percent at $113.16 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.5 percent at $114.05 per barrel
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0523 from $1.0550 at 2100 GMT Tuesday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2415 from $1.2493
Euro/pound: UP at 84.76 pence from 84.45 pence
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 129.08 yen from 129.38 yen
