Europe midday: Stoxx down on trade war fears, Heathrow closure

(Sharecast News) - European shares were lower 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, while airline stocks were down after a substation fire closed London's Heathrow airport. The Stoxx 600 index was down 0.73% at 548.86 in early deals, with Germany's DAX off 0.89% and France's CAC-40 0.78% 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, Lufthansa and Air France-KLM.

Lubricant maker Fuchs slumped after the current year earnings forecast disappointed analysts.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com