Europe Markets

Europe markets end 3% lower after weak China data

European markets close: Alarming figures
VIDEO2:1902:19
European markets close: Alarming figures

European stock markets ended sharply lower on Tuesday after new data from China exacerbated concerns about the outlook for the world's second biggest economy.

The pan-European STOXX 600 provisionally closed 2.9 percent lower after weak manufacturing data from China fueled selling throughout the session.

London's FTSE 100 ended over 3 percent lower, reopening after a public holiday on Monday. Both Germany's DAX and France's CAC closed about 2.6 percent lower.

China manufacturing sector is losing steam, fast

Two sets of key Chinese data disappointed traders on Tuesday; the official manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) edged down to 49.7 in August from 50 in July, while the final Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI came in at 47.3 in August, down from 47.8 in July.

The numbers fanned concerns about China's economy, undermining global stock markets. Wall Street shares fell more than 1 percent on Tuesday, the first day of trade for September.

In Asia, stock markets also closed down across the board.

In the euro zone, data from Markit confirmed that manufacturing growth eased in August. However, official data also showed that unemployment fell to a three-year low of 10.9 percent in July.

Stocks to watch

European markets


The oil and gas sector initially traded higher but quickly reversed gains. BP and Shell were both in negative territory, both closing in the region of 3 percent lower.

Prices of both Brent crude and WTI oil plummeted over 7 percent on the day, but the weakness came after a stunning rally over the past few days which has seen Brent back above $50 per barrel. Prices fell back towards $50 on Tuesday, with Brent for October delivery losing over $4 to trade just under $50.

Meanwhile, shares in London-listed hedge fund manager Man Group finished down almost 7 percent after the company's China business was taken into custody to help authorities probe the recent market volatility, according to reports.

Swedish medical firm Elekta saw shares surge nearly 8 percent after reporting strong first quarter earnings.

Shares of pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, outperformed the broader index, closing down about 2 percent, after it granted Canada's Valeant Pharmaceuticals an exclusive license to develop its psoriasis drug Brodalumab.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Has China's data changed your view of the market?