European markets closed higher on Wednesday as investors braced for another aggressive interest rate move from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
European markets
The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally ended the day up 0.9%, having recouped opening losses of around 0.4%.
Utilities stocks led gains, closing up 1.8%, with most sectors and major bourses ending in positive territory. Travel and leisure stocks, meanwhile, slumped 1.9%.
Investors expect that the central bank will deliver its third consecutive 0.75 percentage point rate hike to tame high inflation at the conclusion of its latest two-day policy meeting Wednesday.
A higher-than-expected consumer price index reading in August and hawkish comments on rate hikes from Fed leaders have weighed on stocks, with more pressure likely ahead as the central bank continues to fight inflation.
Shares in the Asia-Pacific traded lower Wednesday, following Wall Street's negative lead ahead of the expected rate hike, while U.S. stocks were slightly higher on Wednesday morning.
The day's big news came as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military mobilization, putting the Russian economy and its people on a wartime footing as the conflict in Ukraine escalates.