Stock indices traded higher supported by the Fed's interest rate decision. The Fed cut its monthly asset purchases by another $10 billion to $35 billion and kept the Federal Funds Target Rate between zero and 0.25 percent. Market participants had expected this decision. The Fed pointed out that interest rates will remain unchanged for a considerable time after the Fed's asset purchase program ends.

The U.K. retail sales dropped 0.5% in May, in line with forecasts, after a 1.3% gain in April. That was the first drop since January.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 3.9% in May, missing expectations for a 4.2% increase, after a 6.9% gain in April.

The Confederation of British Industry released its industrial order books balance. The CBI industrial order books balance increased to 11% in June from 0% in May, exceeding expectations for a climb to 3%.

Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc surged 8.1% after announcing a 1 billion pounds share buyback.

Peugeot SA increased 5.2%.

Electricite de France SA dropped 7.6% after the French energy minister said the government will cancel a 5% rise to electricity prices.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,808.11 +29.55 +0.44%

DAX 10,004.00 +73.67 +0.74%

CAC 40 4,563.04 +32.67 +0.72%

U.S. stock futures were little changed as the Federal Reserve promised to keep interest rates low amid signs of an economic recovery.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,361.16 +245.36 +1.62%

Hang Seng 23,167.73 -13.99 -0.06%

Shanghai Composite 2,023.73 -31.78 -1.55%

FTSE 6,827.86 +49.30 +0.73%

CAC 4,575.92 +45.55 +1.01%

DAX 10,015.48 +85.15 +0.86%

Crude oil $105.89 (-0.09%)

Gold $1286.50 (+1.08%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

Starbucks (SBUX) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS

FedEx (FDX) upgraded to Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts, target raised to $155 from $125

Downgrades:

Other:

FedEx (FDX) target raised to $155 from $136 at Cowen

FedEx (FDX) target raised to $161 from $157 at Oppenheimer

Stock indices increased as the Fed kept unchanged its interest rate. The Fed cut its monthly asset purchases by another $10 billion to $35 billion and kept the Federal Funds Target Rate between zero and 0.25 percent. Market participants had expected this decision. The Fed pointed out that interest rates will remain unchanged for a considerable time after the Fed's asset purchase program ends.

The U.K. retail sales dropped 0.5% in May, in line with forecasts, after a 1.3% gain in April. That was the first drop since January.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 3.9% in May, missing expectations for a 4.2% increase, after a 6.9% gain in April.

Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc surged 5.7% after announcing a 1 billion pounds share buyback.

Current figures:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,833.23 +54.67 +0.81%

DAX 10,009.34 +79.01 +0.80%

CAC 40 4,569.89 +39.52 +0.87%

Asian stock traded mixed after the Fed’s interest decision. The Fed cut its monthly asset purchases by another $10 billion to $35 billion and kept the Federal Funds Target Rate between zero and 0.25 percent. Market participants had expected this decision. The Fed pointed out that interest rates will remain unchanged for a considerable time after the Fed’s asset purchase program ends.

Shares in China and Hong Kong traded lower due to concerns over the health of China’s economy. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang promised during a speech in London yesterday that the Chinese economy would continue to expand moderately and avoid a hard landing.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                         15,361.16                  +245.36             +1.62%

Hang Seng                        23,167.73                     -13.99              -0.06%

Shanghai Composite          2,023.73                     -31.78              -1.55%

Nippon Sheet Glass Co. shares rose 17.0% after Nomura Holdings Inc. raised its rating on the company.

Nikkei 15,115.8 +139.83 +0.93%

Hang Seng 23,181.72 -21.87 -0.09%

Shanghai Composite 2,055.52 -11.18 -0.54%

S&P 1,956.98 +14.99 +0.77%

NASDAQ 4,362.84 +25.60 +0.59%

Dow 16,906.62 +98.13 +0.58%

FTSE 1,387.44 -0.31 -0.02%

CAC 4,530.37 -5.70 -0.13%

DAX 9,930.33 +10.01 +0.10%