Trading in European equities remained subdued during the first half of the year with the value traded across public platforms down 1.5% year-on-year, dashing hopes of the recovery that many forecast at the start of the year.

The value of equities traded across Europe reached €4.3 trillion during the first half of this year, compared with €4.4 trillion in the first six months of 2012, according to data provided by Thomson Reuters. The average monthly value traded was €722bn.