LONDON—World stocks slipped from 18-month peaks and the dollar pushed higher on Thursday as traders readied for what is expected to be the eighth straight rate hike from the European Central Bank (ECB) later.
Europe’s groggy start came after Wednesday’s first pause in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rapid hiking cycle in over a year was offset by an unexpected signal from the bank’s policymakers that another two rises could still come this year.
