European stocks fall as investors await a week of data

European stocks fell at start of trading on Monday, as investors await a week of data and statements from several European Central Bank officials, looking for any indications about the bank’s direction on monetary policy next week.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.2% after hitting an all-time high last week, as inflation in the euro zone fell to 2.2% in August, moving at its slowest pace since July 2021.

Miners led the losses, with their shares falling 1.3%, after most industrial metals started September lower.

Investors are awaiting the release of August manufacturing data from Germany, Spain and the 20-nation euro zone later this evening to gauge the strength of the region’s economies.