Europe open: Shares open in cautious mood ahead of Fed meeting

(Sharecast News) - European shares opened in cautious mood on Monday as investors set themselves for a week of data dumps and interest rate calls, while they also digested mixed economic news from China. The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was flat in early deals, after closing lower on Friday.

The US Federal Open Market Committee starts its two-day meeting on Tuesday, with expectations of a 25 basis point cut already priced in by markets.

Meanwhile there also decisions from the Bank of Japan and Bank of England on Thursday with expectations of no change on both counts. The People's Bank of China will announce its loan prime rates decision on Friday amid calls for greater stimulus to boost the country's flagging economy.

Asian markets were broadly lower after the release of mixed economic prints from China, where industrial production grew in line with expectations in November, while retail sales missed forecasts and fixed asset investment growth disappointed.

In equity news, shares in French mass-media conglomerate Vivendi slumped as its newly spun-off entities Canal+, Havas and Louis Hachette Group started trading in London, Amsterdam and Paris respectively.

Shares in gambling outfit Entain fell after Australia's financial crime regulator started civil penalty proceedings related to alleged breaches of the country's contraventions anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism law.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com