The FTSE 100 ( ^FTSE ) and European stocks closed lower on Thursday, with London's premier index finishing in negative territory as the Bank of England (BoE) decided to cut interest rates to 5%.

US stocks opened higher as upbeat Meta ( META ) results put earnings centre stage again after the Federal Reserve boosted hopes for a September rate cut. However, things took a turn as weak economic data trickled in.

How it happened:

Apple and Android .