12:15 PM EDT, 04/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mixed in Wednesday trading as The Stoxx Europe 600 was down 0.19%, Germany's DAX gained 0.29%, the FTSE 100 in London was up 0.32%, France's CAC 40 was off 0.07%, and the Swiss Market Index declined 0.10%.

The euro area annual inflation rate was 2.2% in March, down from 2.3% in February and 2.4% a year earlier, while European Union annual inflation declined to 2.5% from 2.7% in February and 2.6% a year earlier, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

The lowest annual rates were in France (0.9%), Denmark (1.4%) and Luxembourg (1.5%), while the highest annual rates were in Romania (5.1%), Hungary (4.8%) and Poland (4.4%). Compared with February, annual inflation declined in 16 member states, rose in 10, and remained unchanged in one.

In the UK, annual inflation declined to 2.6% in March from 2.8% the previous month, according to the Office for National Statistics. The ONS said the largest downward contributions to inflation came from recreation and culture, and motor fuels.

And in corporate news, shares of Bunzl plunged 25% on the FTSE in London after the UK distribution and outsourcing company said Wednesday that it has lowered its 2025 forecast and paused its share buyback program. The company said it had to reduce its guidance due to "operational challenges faced by our largest business in North America."

Rio Tinto late Tuesday reported Q1 iron ore shipments of 70.7 million metric tons from the Pilbara region in Australia, down 9% from a year earlier. Bauxite production for the quarter rose 12% year over year to 15 million metric tons.

Shares of the British mining giant were flat in London trading.

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