LONDON — Europe’s major markets were in retreat in mid-morning trading on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 in London leading the way.
The British market was down 0.5 percent to 7,268.69, followed by the CAC 40 in Paris, 0.4 percent to 4905.32. The FTSE MIB in Milan fell 0.3 percent to 19,008.43, while the DAX in Frankfurt dipped 0.2 percent to 11,774.04.
The euro traded at $1.06, while the pound fetched $1.24 and the Swiss franc equaled $0.99 at 12:20 p.m. CET.
Retail and luxury stocks were mostly lower, with the day’s biggest fallers including Italia Independent Group, down 4.8 percent to 4.09 euros; French Connection, 2.3 percent to 0.35 pounds; L’Oréal S.A., 1.5 percent to 171.15 euros and Hugo Boss, 1.5 percent to 59.24 euros.
Among the few stocks that gained ground were Jimmy Choo, up 2.1 percent to 1.58 pounds, and Aeffe, 5.6 percent to 1.40 euros.