LONDON: European stock markets fell on Wednesday, as the ECB launched radical stimulus measures aimed at boosting economic growth in the struggling eurozone.
It comes as a worried World Bank slashed its growth forecast for the global economy Tuesday, saying advanced economies were rebounding more slowly than expected and that low commodity prices continued to hurt other countries.
However official data Wednesday revealed that China's imports decreased in May at the slowest pace in 19 months -- in a possible sign domestic demand in the world's second-largest economy may be recovering.
The Asian country is a key driver of world growth and its demand for commodities has enormous implications for resource-rich nations from Australia to Nigeria.
Around 1030 GMT, Frankfurt's DAX 30 stocks index dropped 0.5 percent and the CAC 40 in Paris slid 0.4 percent.
Outside the eurozone, London's FTSE 100 index dipped just a few points compared with Tuesday's close.
Elsewhere, the European Central Bank stepped into uncharted territory Wednesday when it began to buy bonds issued by companies, in a bid to also kickstart eurozone inflation.
The hope is that the companies will use the money to invest, thereby stimulating growth, creating jobs and helping push up prices.
Slow eurozone growth has seen inflation slide into negative territory, threatening a dangerous downward spiral of falling prices and wages.
"Utilities gained after the ECB picked the sector for its first foray into corporate bond buying as part of expanded stimulus efforts," said Mike van Dulken, head of Research at Accendo Markets.
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