European Shares Decline at Start of Trading

Brussels, European stocks were down on Monday as investors taking a cautious stance ahead of key inflation data from the United States and Europe later this week. The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX), was down 0.02 %. With the US and UK markets closed on Monday, trading activity was dull across the board. Investors are awaiting euro zone May consumer prices data for May ahead of the European Central Bank's (ECB) policy meeting next week. The central bank looks set to start easing interest rates in the upcoming meeting with a 90% probability and softer inflation data could help seal the June rate cut. In corporate news, shares of salmon producer P/F Bakkafrost led declines on the STOXX 600 index, with a 4.5 % slip after the ISA virus was found in two pens at farming site. Source: Qatar News Agency