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European stocks were slightly lower on Tuesday, as most bourses were closed for May Day.
The Stoxx 600 index (XX:SXXP) -0.05% was marginally off at 257.19, with oil firms adding the most pressure. BP PLC (UK:BP) -2.90% s: bp] gave up 2.1% following its report of a 12.8% drop in first-quarter adjusted profit.
BG Group PLC (UK:BG) -0.31% lost 0.3%.
The U.K. FTSE 100 index, the only major country-specific index open, traded 0.2% higher at 5,750.83. Banks helped lift the index and Lloyds Banking Group PLC (UK:LLOY) +1.81% LYG -1.51% took on 1.9%, while Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC RBS -0.38% (UK:RBS) +0.70% added 1.5%, Market Watch reported.
Among other notable gainers in Europe, Chemring Group PLC surged 16% after a contract award.
