Market Update
European markets opened lower Tuesday ahead of a key reading on economic sentiment and conditions in the region's largest economy, Germany.
The FTSE 100 lost 0.2% at 8:44 a.m. in London. The CAC 40 Paris erased 0.3% while the DAX Frankfurt was flat.
Markets were eyeing a handful of economic reports from the region as well as the U.S. due later in the session.
Political moves in Italy were also in focus -- on Monday, centre-left Democratic party leader Matteo Renzi held meeting with president Giorgio Napolitano, who has asked him to form a new government in the country.
Renzi is believed to have discussed his proposed new team with the president; but needs approval by both houses of the parliament.
Stocks on the Move
In earnings-related moves, French industrial gas supplier Air Liquide eased 1% after posting slightly higher net profit but lower sales for 2013.
In London, John Wood Group Plc. gained 5.3% after logging upbeat results.
Leading miner BHP Billiton Plc. improved over a percent after reporting surging profits.
Others in the sector were lower, however. Rio Tinto Plc. lost 0.7% while Glencore Xstrata Plc. erased 0.6%.
Sector-wise, financials were mostly weak across the region. BNP Paribas SA lost around a percent while Credit Agricole SA erased 0.2% in France.
London-listed Barclays Plc. and HSBC Holdings Plc were down 0.5% each.