European Stocks Close Mixed

European stocks closed mixed at the end of Monday's trading. The European Stoxx 600 index ended lower after a weak performance last week that witnessed heavy selling in high-risk assets, due to fears of an economic recession in the United States. The German DAX index was unchanged to close at 17,726 points, the French CAC index fell by 0.25 percent to reach 7,250 points, while the British FTSE rose by 0.5 percent to record 8,210 points at the close. The energy and basic resources sectors achieved some gains with the rise in oil and metals prices, while the real estate sector fell by 0.9 percent. Insurance stocks also rose, as Hannover Re rose by 5 percent after the German company announced better-than-expected results. In contrast, Vestas shares fell about 8 percent after the world's largest wind turbine maker cut its second-quarter earnings forecast, and trimmed its full-year profit margin and revenue outlook. Source: Qatar News Agency