Major stock indices in Europe are trading in the red zone

European stocks fall amid a general withdrawal of investors from risky assets due to the increased expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

On Friday, statements raised expectations of a hike this year - this move, according to experts, would reduce the interest in European assets, taking into account the record low interest rates in the region.

Market focus is now on the speech of the Fed Board of Governors member Leil Brainard - this will be the last Fed official commenting before FOMC meeting on 20-21 September.

In addition, traders are waiting for the next meeting of the Bank of England, which will be held September 14-15. In August, the British Central Bank lowered the interest rate from 0.5% to 0.25%, a new historical minimum. Previous level of the rate remained unchanged from March 2009. The Bank of England also increased its asset purchase program by 60 billion pounds to 435 billion pounds.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 fell 1,7% - to 339.69 points.

Linde AG share price fell 7,4%. The German company and the American Praxair Inc. discontinued merger talks that could lead to the creation of the world's largest producer of industrial gases.

SVG Capital shares soared by more than 15% on the information that the American fund HarbourVest Partners made an offer for 1 billion pounds ($ 1.3 billion) in cash.

Shares of the largest German energy company EON have decreased by 13.1% after Uniper formed a separate company.

Shares of Associated British Foods fell 4.8% despite the company's message on Monday of better annual forecast.

At the moment:

FTSE 6670.29 -106.66 -1.57%

DAX 10360.42 -213.02 -2.01%

CAC 4400.56 -90.84 -2.02%