index was down 0.05% in early deals, with sectors trading in mixed territory. Telecoms stocks led gains, up 0.8%, while travel and leisure fell 2.4%.
The European equity market gloom has been mirrored globally this week, as expectations that interest rates will be higher for longer have driven up The U.K.'s FTSE 100 was last seen down 2 points at 8,230, Germany's DAX 48 points lower at 18,463, and France's CAC down 9 points at 7,967. Italy's MIB was seen slipping 13 points to 34,486.CNBC Pro: 'Many happy returns': Barclays names 2 global stocks it says has over 100% upside to play right now