European stock markets were little changed today as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of key U.S. inflation data, ongoing tariff negotiations, and high-level talks between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The pan-European STOXX 600 index inched up 0.01 percent by mid-morning, retreating from earlier gains and remaining close to its highest level since late July.
Prospects of a possible peace deal appeared to dampen sentiment in the German defence sector. Shares of Rheinmetall fell 4.7 percent, while Renk and Hensoldt posted losses of 3.3 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
In the energy sector, Danish wind farm developer Orsted saw its stock plunge 28 percent after announcing a $9.4 billion rights issue. The company cited challenges in the U.S. offshore wind market as a key factor behind the capital-raising move.
