EU STOCKS off multiyear highs

European stocks slipped Wednesday, with the region’s equity benchmark stepping back from gains that pushed it to a multiyear high in the previous session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index gave up 0.2% at 341.28.

According to data released today, German annual inflation rose 1.3% in April, following 1% growth registered the previous month. This result is in line with analysts' forecasts. On a monthly basis German CPI fell 0.2%, after rising 0.3%, as expected. Year-over-year German HICP grew 1.1% in April, up from 0.9% in March. On a monthly basis HICP declined 0.3%, following a 0.3% increase.

UK labour market data in the British economy disappointed investors: the unemployment measured by the Claimant Count Change dropped by 25.1K in April, missing estimates for 30.0K and up from March’s 30.6K (revised,) while the jobless rate ticked lower to 6.8% in line with consensus and coming from 6.9% in the previous reading.

The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index was down 0.2%.

Shares of interest-rate sensitive home builders were down Wednesday. Barratt Developments PLC fell 1.7%, and Persimmon PLC lost 1.6%. Separately, ITV PLC fell 3.8% after the broadcaster issued a trading update.

But Compass Group PLC was the FTSE 100’s top advancer as shares rose 4.8%. The food services company said it will return 1 billion pounds ($1.68 billion) to shareholders in a special dividend. 

Among country-specific indexes, Germany’s DAX 30 index edged up 4 points after Tuesday’s close at an all-time record high. 

France’s CAC 40 index slipped 0.2%.

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