Major stock indices in Europe trading in the red zone

Stock indices in Western Europe are down due to a sudden fall of imports in China that had a negative impact on the shares of producers of raw materials.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 fell 1% - to 3 months low - 335.18 points.

According to the Customs Administration of China, the export of goods and services in September fell by 5.6% on an annualized basis, while analysts had expected a growth rate of 2.5%. Imports grew by only 2.2% instead of the expected 5.5%. In particular, imports of refined copper into China fell last month for the sixth time in a row, to the lowest since February, 340 ths tons.

Shares of BHP Billiton fell today 4,2%, Rio Tinto - 4.5%.

In addition, negative factors for the European stock market are the fears for corporate profits in the 3rd quarter and expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve in 2016.

As stated in the minutes of the September meeting of the Fed, many members of the FOMC considered reasonable rise in the key rate in the near future. Traders estimate the probability of a rate hike at the November meeting at 17%, and in December 68%.

Meanwhile, analysts predict a decrease in profits of companies included in the Stoxx 600 Index by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter.

Securities of the retailer Sports Direct fell 0.5% after the company's CFO Matt Pearson announced his resignation.

ProSieben Media capitalization increased by 1% due to the increase in the forecast of revenue for the years 2016 and 2018.

Booker Group Plc shares increased by 1.4% on a statement that the company will be able to achieve the planned revenue in the current year.

Shares of Siemens AG eased 1.5% after the German company announced a partnership with IBM.

Rolls-Royce shares rose 0.9% after the automaker announced Tuesday its intention to launch a new model in North America, the most notable feature of which is an artificial intelligence named Eleanor.

At the moment:

FTSE 6974.75 -49.26 -0.70%

DAX 10381.45 -141.62 -1.35%

CAC 4389.49 -62.75 -1.41%