European Stocks Close Mostly Higher Ahead of Fed Policy Announcement

European equities closed mostly higher on June 17, 2026, as investors anticipated the Federal Reserve's monetary policy announcement. The pan-European STOXX 600 index gained 0.63% to 527.05 points, reflecting broad market optimism. Germany's DAX rose 0.77% to 18,325.59 points, while France's CAC 40 increased 0.61% to 7,896.79. Italy's FTSE MIB advanced 1.25% to 33,522.69 points, and the UK's FTSE 100 edged up 0.12% to 8,163.79. Market sentiment was largely driven by expectations that the U.S. central bank would signal a pause in its rate-hiking cycle, with its decision expected later in the day.