European stock markets are anticipated to start the day lower on Wednesday ahead of the release of the FOMC meeting minutes later today.

As investors assess important German inflation data ahead of the release of the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting minutes, European stock markets are anticipated to start the day lower on Wednesday.

The most recent economic activity indicators from both Europe and the US indicate an unexpected uptick in business activity this month, but stock markets have responded negatively since this means inflation may be harder to control, which strengthens the case for higher interest rates.

German consumer prices increased by 1.0% on a monthly basis in February after declining by 0.8% the previous month, pushing the annual rate up to 8.7% from January's 8.6%.

As recent statistics revealed solid retail sales, stronger-than-anticipated U.S. employment, and sticky inflation, policymakers across the world will be closely examining the minutes from the Fed's meeting earlier this month, which are coming later Today.

In the early hours of the morning, interest rates in New Zealand were raised by 50 basis points to 4.75%, the highest level since late 2008, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand signalled more hikes as long as inflation remained strong.

The U.K.-listed miner Rio Tinto will be in focus in the corporate sector after it more than halved its dividend and reported a significant decline in yearly earnings as iron ore prices fell on weaker demand, notably from China.

In spite of rising costs for raw materials and energy, Danone was able to boost pricing, resulting in greater than predicted sales growth in the last quarter of 2022.

Iberdrola, Telefonica, Ferrovial, and Lloyds Banking Group's quarterly results, among others, will be outlined. Nvidia and eBay, for example, will report after the American market closes.

Due to worries that increasing interest rates could negatively affect the economy of the world's largest consumer and consequently reduce demand, the price of oil dipped on Wednesday.

A day later than normal owing to the holiday on Monday, American Petroleum Institute figures on U.S. oil inventories are likely to reveal another gain, escalating concerns about demand.

(Investing.com, Reuters.com)