The European Stoxx 600 index ended the trading session, Tuesday, with a decline of 0.27%, while the red color dominated most sectors in the euro zone stock exchanges. Mining stocks fell 0.9%, while utility stocks rose 1.8%.
The UK's FTSE 100 index closed unchanged at 7,646.16, the German DAX index fell by about 0.10%, while the French CAC index lost about 0.30%, down 8 points at 7,943 and the Italian FTSE MIB index closed down 83 points to 32,846.
The European Central Bank is expected to keep interest rates steady next Thursday, even as inflation shows further signs of decline.
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed as the 'two-session' meeting began in China, with investors monitoring details of its economic plans after the country forecast a GDP growth target of around 5% for 2024.
Europe is set to boost its defense spending by 7.2% in 2024. It expects inflation to rise to “about 3%.”
