European Shares Fall at Beginning of Trading as Investors Await Important Data

European shares declined on Thursday, weighed down by German technology firm SAP, while investors parsed through key inflation data for the bloc and its major economies. The benchmark pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opens new tab lost 0.2% at 519.90 points. SAP (SAPG.DE), opens new tab declined 2%, pushing down the heavy-weight technology sector nearly 1%. Britain's FTSE pared early gains and was flat. It rose 0.3% at the open on a report that the Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, said the central bank could move more quickly to cut interest rates if there is further good news on inflation. The energy sector rose 0.3 % as oil prices rose amid concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East. Source: Qatar News Agency