Major European stock indices trading in the red zone

European stock markets show negative dynamics. Market focus is on corporate reporting as well as the continued political instability in Europe and the United States.

Some support provide statistical data from France and Britain. The survey results provided by the Statistical Office Insee showed that consumer sentiment in France remained stable this month. According to the data, in February consumer confidence index remained at the level of 100 points, which corresponds to the long-term average. A reading in line with expectations. "Concerns regarding the Household unemployment were virtually stable in February - said Insee. In addition, fewer households than in January expecting a rise in prices in the next 12 months."

Meanwhile, the British Bankers' Association (BBA) said that in January the British banks approved the largest number of mortgage loans in the last 12 months. According to the data, in January were approved 44,657 applications for mortgage loans compared to 43,581 in December. The last reading was the highest since January last year, when 45,794 applications for mortgage loans have been approved, and exceeded the forecasts of experts who had expected a decline to 41 900.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 was down 0.67%, to the level of 370.34. Most of the major stock exchanges and sectors traded in negative territory.

The capitalization of BASF - the world's largest chemical company - fell by 3.6% after the company reported a 6 per cent reduction in profit before tax in 2016.

Shares of Vivendi - French media conglomerate - fell by 4.2%, as financial indicators for 2017 were worse than expectations. The company also reported that in the 4th quarter adjusted net profit fell by 34%, to 130 million euros.

The cost of Royal Bank of Scotland Group fell 3.4% after the lender announced a net loss of $ 8.7 billion. For 2016.

At the moment:

FTSE 100 7226.21 -45.16 -0.62%

DAX -131.74 11816.09 -1.10%

CAC 40 4838.52 -52.77 -1.08%