LONDON - Europe’s main stock markets traded flat in opening deals yesterday as investors mulled the outlook for global interest rates. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index of leading blue-chip companies firmed just 0.1% to 7 947.73 points.

In the eurozone, the Paris CAC 40 index flatlined at 8,151.41 points, and Frankfurt’s DAX nudged 0.1% lower to 18,353.88.

Asian markets rose yesterday after US data provided a fresh indicator that inflation was easing, and US Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell soothed worries about the bank’s plans to cut interest rates this year. - Nampa/AFP