(Reuters) – European stocks eased from all-time highs on Monday, with commodity shares leading the declines, as sentiment soured after weaker-than-expected China trade data and worries about inflation.
Miners fell more than 1% as copper prices dipped after a lower-than-expected Chinese exports data sparked concerns of weakening demand for the red metal. [MET/L]
Oil and gas stocks also declined more than 1% as crude prices pulled back ahead of talks this week between Iran and world powers over a nuclear deal that is expected to boost crude supplies. [O/R]
The continent-wide STOXX 600 index fell 0.3% after closing at a record high on Friday, with global investors in a cautious mood ahead of U.S. inflation data later this week.
French vouchers and cards provider Edenred rose 1.9% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to “buy”.
(Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru;Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)