European stocks opened lower, affected by mining companies with exposure to China

European stocks opened lower on Wednesday, with miners exposed to China leading losses after weak economic data from Beijing, while British stocks were pressured by a larger-than-expected headline inflation reading.

And by 0708 GMT, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was down 0.2%, after closing at its lowest level in more than a month on Tuesday.

Britain’s FTSE fell 0.3% after data showed British inflation slowed as expected in July, the lowest annual rate since February 2022, with more signs of pressure on service prices.

European miners fell 0.8% as traders assessed prospects for a weak economic recovery in China, the largest metals consumer.

New home prices in China fell for the first time this year in July, the latest in a series of pessimistic data.

Alcon rose 1.5 percent after the Swiss eye care products company raised its full-year net sales forecast.

Admiral Group jumped 4.6 percent after the British motor and home insurer reported a marginal increase in first-half profit before tax.