European stocks decline, inflation data in focus ‎

European stocks fell at the open today, Thursday, affected by the decline in shares of travel companies and technology sensitive to interest rates, as investors were cautious ahead of the announcement of important inflation data today.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index was down 0.7 percent by 0810 GMT.

Spain, France and Germany reported this week that inflation remained unchanged, reinforcing fears that the European Central Bank will maintain a tight monetary policy for a longer period.

The interest rate-sensitive index of technology companies fell 1.7 percent

Flutter’s share declined 6.4 percent and led to a decline in the travel and leisure sector index by 2.2 percent, after the company announced a decrease in its basic profits for the full year to the lower end of its guiding range.