By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets were on track for
a third straight day of losses on Tuesday, as concerns about global
growth remained in the spotlight after recent weaker-than-expected
data in both China and the U.S.
Later in the day, attention turns to Germany's ZEW economic
sentiment indicator to gauge the economic development in Europe's
largest economy.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index shed 0.3% to 289.56, adding to a 0.7%
loss from Monday.
The losses at the beginning of the weak came as China posted
first-quarter gross-domestic-product growth below expectations and
the New York Fed's Empire State index fell to the slowest reading
since January.
Asia stocks closed lower on Tuesday, while U.S. stock futures
pointed to a higher open on Wall Street.
Back in Europe, shares of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton
dropped 3.3% in Paris, after the luxury retailer posted sluggish
sales growth at its main fashion and leather goods businesses.
On a more upbeat note in France, Danone SA climbed 3.8%, as the
yogurt maker said sales in the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle
East and Africa regions offset weakness in the European market.
The CAC 40 index gave up 0.3% to 3,698.55.
In Germany, the DAX 30 index lost 0.6% to 7,672.28, with shares
of utility firm E.ON. SE off 1.7%.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index declined 0.5% to 6,312.48. Associated
British Foods PLC shaved off 2.2%, after Credit Suisse cut the firm
to neutral from outperform.
Mining firms were mostly higher, recouping after a broad-based
selloff the prior day triggered by weak Chinese data and large
declines in metals prices. Fresnillo PLC gained 4.7%, Eurasian
Natural Resources Corp. added 4.5% and Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) picked
up 1.9%. Metals prices were mixed.
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