Miners Knock European Stocks Lower Ahead of Key Central Bank Decisions

The pan-European STOXX 600 index slipped 0.3% as of 08:13 GMT, while Asian stocks were mixed on jitters ahead of U.S. Federal Reserve and Bank of England meetings this week where the central banks could scale back pandemic-era stimulus.

Mining stocks led losses, down 2.4% on a fall in the iron ore market and lower copper prices.

The STOXX 600 closed on Monday at a record high on the back of strong earnings and a jump in bank stocks fuelled by expectations of a rate hike by the European Central Bank next year.

However, London-based Standard Chartered slumped 5.7% despite reporting a stronger-than-expected pre-tax profit for the third quarter helped by lower credit charges.

The world’s largest online betting group Flutter Entertainment dropped 6.7% after trimming its full-year outlook due to a run of unfavourable sports results and a temporary exit from the Netherlands.

In a bright spot, meal-kit delivery firm HelloFresh surged 12.6% after raising its sales forecast for 2021, helping Germany’s DAX stay afloat.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.

(Reporting by Anisha Sircar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)