FTSE down 0.70%; DAX down 0.70%; CAC 40 down 0.54% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milan, 19 Jul - European shares opened lower, halting yesterday's rebound and resuming a recent selloff amid weak global markets. The Stoxx 600 index slid 0.53% Investors remained on the sidelines as they looked for fresh direction after the European Central Bank yesterday left interest rates unchanged and indicated that a rate hike in September is 'wide open'.

Speaking after the policy decision, ECB head Christine Lagarde said that inflation is expected to fluctuate around current levels for the rest of the year and then decline towards the CB's target over the second half of next year.

"What we will do in September is wide open," Lagarde said.

Investors also assessed news that EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen won a second term at the helm of the European Union's executive arm.

Traders also monitored earnings reports from major European companies including Electrolux and Danske Bank.

At 0735 GMT the London FTSE 100 was down 0.70% at 8,147 points, the Frankfurt DAX was down 0.70% at 18,230 points, the Paris CAC 40 down 0.54% at 7,545 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB was down 0.61% at 34,318 points, and in Madrid the IBEX 35 was up 0.29% at 11,137 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 19-07-24 09:52:54 (0179) 5 NNNN