European stocks were mostly lower on Thursday, as investors keep abreast of geopolitical news taking place across the globe.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was off by 0.4 percent with almost every sector in the red.
Basic resources was the worst-performer, down by about 1.4 percent, on the back of renewed trade worries. On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stated in front of the House Ways and Means committee that he foresaw long-term hurdles ahead. In his testimony, Lighthizer stated that more would need to be done by China, than just purchasing U.S. goods, if the two nations were to secure an agreement.
Looking across the European benchmark, it is clear that earnings were also impacting trade. Adecco dropped more than 4 percent in early deals, after reporting its fourth quarter results.
Zalando rose to the top of the index, up by 15 percent, after announcing that its expects solid growth this year. The French retailer Carrefour also jumped 3 percent after increasing its savings goals.
Meanwhile, a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam was cut short after the latter asked for an end to sanctions. The two nations have worked towards stronger relations and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Elsewhere, investors continue to watch for geopolitical news surrounding India and Pakistan, along with developments surrounding Brexit. The British opposition Labour Party declared that it would now look to supporting a new vote on Brexit by the public.
No major economic data for the euro area is due.
