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European markets close lower ahead of ECB meeting as global sentiment struggles

Holly Ellyatt

This was CNBC's live blog covering European markets.

European stocks closed lower Tuesday as markets struggled to find positive momentum ahead of the European Central Bank meeting later this week.

European markets


The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally ended the session down 0.27%, with the vast majority of sectors finishing in the red. Mining stocks sank 0.9% while utilities added 1.8%.

The ECB is expected to hold interest rates steady on Thursday even as inflation shows more signs of easing.

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed as China's "Two Sessions" meeting got under way, with investors watching out for the details of its economic plans after the country projected a gross domestic product growth target of "around 5%" for 2024.

The country is set to boost its defense spending by 7.2% in 2024. It expects the inflation rate to rise to "around 3%."

Europe stocks close lower

European stocks slipped for a second straight session Tuesday, with the Stoxx 600 index closing 0.27% lower as markets on both sides of the Atlantic pull back from recent record highs.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 managed a 0.08% gain as Germany's DAX fell 0.1% and France's CAC 40 dipped 0.3%.

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Stoxx 600 index.

— Jenni Reid

China’s current economic policy measures won’t boost growth above 5%, economist says

China's current economic policy measures won't boost growth above 5%, economist says
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VIDEO2:2702:27
China's current economic policy measures won't boost growth above 5%: economist
Squawk Box Europe

Cailin Birch, global economist at Economist Intelligence Unit, discusses China's growth outlook and how the country's economy is impacting Europe and the U.S.

U.S. stocks open lower

The three major indexes opened Tuesday's session lower, placing the market on track for another down day.

The Dow was was down 0.3% shortly after opening bell. The S&P 500 slipped 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 0.8%.

— Alex Harring

Tesla shares fall after fire halts production at Berlin plant

Frankfurt-listed shares of Tesla fell 2.4% in early afternoon trade, after the company's plant outside of Berlin was reportedly forced to halt production following a suspected arson attack at a nearby electricity substation.

Tesla's U.S.-listed shares were 2% lower in premarket trade.

Tesla confirmed that its Gruenheide factory had paused production and was evacuated Tuesday morning, according to Reuters. Brandenburg police told CNBC that the damage to an electricity pylon in the Gosen-Neu Zittau area initially looked like arson and added that it is currently investigating who is responsible.

Left-wing extremists the "Volcano Group" claimed responsibility for the attack in a letter posted to alternative news site Kontrapolis.

CNBC could not independently verify the letter.

— Karen Gilchrist

Stocks on the move: Inchcape down 9.3%, Thales up 6.8%

Shares of British automotive company Inchcape sank 9.3% after it announced that it expects its growth to moderate in the coming year despite recording an increase in 2023 profits.

Other the end, France's Thales rose 6.8% after reporting an uptick in profit and sales in its full-year results.

— Karen Gilchrist

CNBC Pro: We're in a 'boomer renaissance,' top hedge fund manager says — naming sectors and stocks to play it

Top hedge fund manager David Neuhauser says the world is in a "boomer renaissance" and investors should be betting big on certain sectors that play the theme.

"I think the world is in this boomer renaissance now and there are some stocks that are seeing great moves," he told CNBC Pro.

He added that the stocks "are not mega tech which shows you other areas tied to the wealth [effect] are helping broadening out gains."

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Weizhen Tan

CNBC Pro: Skip EV stocks like Tesla, says fund manager, naming a 'phenomenal' alternative

Competition is heating up in the electric vehicle industry, especially between investor favorite Tesla and Chinese automakers like the Warren Buffett-backed BYD.

However, one fund manager has some serious reservations about the sector.

"We don't own any of the [EV] auto manufacturers and I think the arms race to develop EVs is going to be profitless for a lot of these businesses, including Tesla. So, I would avoid it all, I'm afraid," he added.

The fund manager instead has his sights on what he calls "bigger integrated covers," naming his favorite alternative stocks.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Amala Balakrishner

European markets: Here are the opening calls

European markets are expected to open in mixed territory Monday.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 15 points lower at 8,422, Germany's DAX up 23 points at 18,781, France's CAC 8 points higher at 8,201 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 15 points at 34,332, according to data from IG.

Earnings are due from Ferrovial. There are no major data releases.

— Holly Ellyatt