European stocks open the session with collective losses.

The main stock indices in Europe opened with widespread declines affecting most sectors on the continent, as the recovery in risk appetite waned due to Chinese authorities' promises of stronger economic stimulus yesterday.

In terms of trading, the performance of European stock indices at the start of today's session was as follows:

• The Euro Stoxx 600 index fell by 0.34% to 519.47 points.
• The German DAX index decreased by 0.10% to 20,326.36 points.
• The French CAC 40 index dropped by 0.60% to 7,435.72 points.
• The UK's FTSE 100 index declined by about 0.52%, recording 8,308.70 points.
• The Spanish IBEX 35 index fell by 0.14% to 11,994.90 points.
• The Italian FTSE MIB index decreased by 0.40% to 34,423.30 points.

The basic resources sector saw the largest losses, down by 1.3%, after data showed a weakness in demand from Chinese trade balance figures, indicating that imports were below expectations. Meanwhile, the healthcare and automotive sectors recorded limited gains of 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively.

In terms of individual stocks, British equipment rental company Ashtead Group Plc led the losses, dropping by 10.6% following the announcement of its primary listing in the United States. On the German index, Delivery Hero led the losses with an 8.3% drop, falling to the lowest point in the Euro Stoxx 600 index for the continent after its subsidiary in the Middle East, Talabat, was listed on the Dubai Stock Exchange.