Stock indices traded little changed ahead the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision today. Investors are awaiting the ECB will cut interest rates and announce measures to boost lending to smaller businesses.

Retail sales in the Eurozone climbed 0.4% in April, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% gain, after a 0.3% increase in March. On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone rose 2.4% in April, exceeding expectations for a 1.3% increase, after a 0.9% gain in March.

German factory orders surged 3.1% in April, beating expectations for a 1.3% rise, after a 2.8% decrease in March.

The Bank of England kept its interest rate unchanged at 0.50%.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,798.96                              -19.67                       -0.29%

DAX                                     9,920.74                                 -5.93                       -0.06%

CAC 40                                4,507.26                                 +6.26                      +0.14%