Doha: European stock indices fell at the start of trading on Tuesday after strong gains in the previous session: The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.1 percent to 581.87 points, after touching its highest level in nearly three weeks on Monday.

According to Qatar News Agency, the European aircraft and defense sector on the index dropped 1.9 percent, recording its largest decline in more than two weeks. Technology stocks also weighed on the index. However, bank stocks continued to rise, with the sector’s index up 0.3 percent.

Germany’s DAX index fell by 0.3 percent, and the FTSE British index also dropped by about 0.1 percent, while the French index likewise declined by 0.1 percent.