Europe open: Stoxx down as investors mull trade war, Heathrow fire

(Sharecast News) - European shares were lower at the open on Friday as investors digested a week of policy decisions from central bankers amid the turmoil of US President Donald Trump's erratic trade measures. The Stoxx 600 index was down 0.54% at 549 in early deals, with Germany's DAX off 0.56% and France's CAC 40 0.51% lower.

Switzerland's national bank cut rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, while the Bank of England and Sweden's Riksbank held steady.

On Wednesday the US Federal Reserve also kept its key interest rate unchanged as policy makers cut their 2025 economic growth forecast for the world's biggest economy, noting trade tariffs would add to inflationary pressure.

In equity news, shares in British Airways owner IAG fell after Heathrow airport was forced to close all day due to a fire at a nearby electricity substation, hitting more than 1,000 flights. The news also affected shares in easyJet and Air France-KLM.

Lubricant maker Fuchs slumped after annual results.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com