European Markets Close Mixed Amid Slowing UK Growth

The European stock markets showed mixed results on Thursday as investors digested new economic data indicating slower growth in the UK's second quarter. The Stoxx Europe index decreased by 0.1%, reflecting caution across the broader equity landscape.

Germany's DAX also declined 0.1% as Europe's largest economy felt the mild selling pressure of the session. In contrast, France's CAC fell 0.3%, underperforming some European peers and extending modest losses into the close.

The FTSE 100 was Thursday's notable laggard among major indexes, dropping 0.8% as UK-specific economic concerns weighed on sentiment. Meanwhile, Switzerland's Swiss Market Index bucked regional weakness, gaining 0.2% to close in positive territory.

The mixed performance of European markets reflects a broader uncertainty among investors, with no single dominant macro theme driving direction across the region. In the UK, official growth figures showed real gross domestic product expanding 0.4% in the second quarter, indicating an economy navigating persistent headwinds.