The European markets were in negative territory on Tuesday too, amid growth concerns, even as China's central bank injected about $20 billion into the money market, in a bid to support the stock market which crashed a day earlier. Sentiment remained one of caution.
The Chinese stock market witnessed a 7 percent sell-off on Monday that led to suspending trade after the new "circuit breaker" was triggered on its very first day of introduction. The rout spread to the global markets, sparking declines.
In economic news, Eurozone inflation remained stable in December, flash data from Eurostat showed. Consumer prices advanced 0.2 percent year-on-year in December, the same rate as seen in November but below the 0.4 percent rate forecast by economists.
Germany's unemployment declined more than expected in December, the Federal Labor Agency reportedly said. The number of people out of work declined by 14,000 compared to an expected drop of 8,000.
The U.K. construction sector strengthened more than expected in December, survey results from Markit showed. The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 57.8 in December from a seven-month low of 55.3 in November. It was forecast to rise moderately to 56.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks advanced 0.49 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, gained 0.19 percent.
The German DAX and the French CAC 40 declined around 0.7 percent each. The FTSE 100 index of the U.K. was marginally down, while Switzerland's SMI fell 0.4 percent.
In Frankfurt, Volkswagen declined 3.8 percent, BMW dropped 2.4 percent and Daimler fell nearly 2 percent.
Utilities RWE and E.ON dropped around 2 percent each.
Yet, Fresenius Medical Care gained nearly 2 percent, Deutsche Annington dropped 1.8 percent and Lufthansa added 1.7 percent.
In Paris, oil services provider Technip retreated 5.7 percent and energy firm Total declined 1.2 percent.
Air Liquide and Schneider Electric dropped about 1.6 percent each.
Meanwhile, Alcatel Lucent gained 0.7 percent. Nokia said it would hold nearly 80 percent of outstanding Alcatel-Lucent share. Nokia shares were also moderately higher in Helsinki.
In London, retailer Next plunged more than 5 percent after reporting weak holiday sales. J Sainsbury fell 1.5 percent.
Burberry Group was down 1.8 percent and Aberdeen Asset Management retreated around 5 percent.
At the same time, travel operator TUI climbed 2.5 percent. Pharmaceutical firm Shire advanced 1.4 percent.
The Asian markets fell as shares in Shanghai extended Monday's plunge and a diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and Iran deepened with a number of Saudi Arabia's allies curbing their diplomatic links with Iran in protest at the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
In the U.S., futures point to a lower open on Wall Street. In the previous session, the Dow tumbled 1.6 percent and the S&P 500 dropped 1.5 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq slumped 2.1 percent to end at its lowest level in well over two months.
Crude for February delivery fell $0.07 to $36.69 per barrel, while February gold advanced $1.4 to $1076.6 a troy ounce.
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Market Analysis
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.