European stocks flat, mining shares down due to weak demand ‎fears ‎

European stocks were flat on Tuesday as uncertainty surrounding the path of global interest rates prompted investors to remain cautious, while miners fell on fears of weak demand from China.

According to Reuters, the European Stoxx 600 index settled at 461.17 points by 0710 GMT, at a time when investors focus on assessing signs of monetary tightening from central banks and data indicating slowing global growth.

The mining sector index fell 0.3 percent as metal prices fell due to concerns related to the demand outlook from China after a batch of weak economic data, but a 0.5 percent rise in banking stocks kept losses limited.

Trading volumes are expected to be weak with most activity halted on Wall Street due to a holiday in the United States

German chemical Wacker rose 2.7 percent to top gainers on the Stoxx 600 after HSBC upgraded the company’s rating.