European markets started the new trading week on a negative note, changing course after largely positive sentiment last week.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index opened 0.1% lower, with most sectors trading in negative territory. Tech stocks led losses, sinking 0.8%, while health care was up 0.4%.
In Asia-Pacific overnight, stock markets in China rose as traders returned from the Lunar New Year holidays on Monday to upbeat travel data, while Hong Kong stocks fell.
The People’s Bank of China on Sunday held a key policy rate steady as expected, as markets reassessed when the U.S. Federal Reserve might start easing its monetary policy this year.
U.S. markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day.
