(MENAFN– ecpulse)
European saw a mixed opening Tuesday, with most of the shares pointing lower as investors carefully anticipated presidential talks that are less likely to end a seven-month crisis in eastern Ukraine.
The risk sentiment faded as focus shifts to Ukraine where tension remains high as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, are set to meet in Minsk, Belarus, seeking a resolution to the fight between Kiev government and separatists supported by Russia since February. However, hopes for breakthrough are kind of low for the meantime, given a second convoy of vehicles carrying what humanitarian aid to enter Ukraine while Kiev accuses Moscow of moving tanks across the border.
As of 03:42 a.m. ET, the Stoxx 600 index was down 0.05% at 340.31. Shares of utilities led the losers among the groups, with 0.71% loss.
Britain`s FTSE 100 index rose 0.34% to 6,798.26
France’s CAC 40 index fell 0.09% to 4,338.21
Germany’s DAX 30 index fell 0.41% to 9,471.47
The absence of key economic data from Europe today has shed further light on the geopolitical tensions around the world, especially in Ukraine, as the Stock markets consensus still fears the conflict would disrupt world trade.
Also weighing on the sentiment, President Barack Obama authorized air strikes against militants in Iraq. T he US and its European allies have also condemned escalating violence In Libya, after Islamist militants took control of an international airport in Tripoli. Separately, t he US is preparing to send surveillance aircraft into Syria to gather intelligence on Islamist targets.
Among equity movers, the British advertising agency WAPP rose 2% after saying Russian sales rose despite geopolitical tension between the country and its neigbour Ukraine.
Shares of British operator of data centers Telecity fell 6% after saying its chief executive will step down in October.
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