European stocks open lower as inflation data awaits

March 2 (Reuters) – European stocks opened lower on Thursday, dragged down by declines in interest-rate-sensitive travel and technology stocks as investors were cautious ahead of key inflation data. .

According to a Reuters poll, inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro would stand at 8.2% over the 12 months ending in February, against 8.6% the previous month. Data will be released at 1000 GMT.

The STOXX 600 was down 0.7% at 08:10 GMT.

Earlier in the week, data from Spain, France and Germany showed that inflation remained persistent, heightening fears that the European Central Bank would maintain its tightening policy for longer.

Eurozone government bond yields hit new multi-year highs on Thursday, weighing on particularly interest-rate sensitive tech stocks, which fell 1.7%.

Flutter fell 6.4%, dragging the European travel and leisure sector index down 2.2%, after posting annual ebitda below expectations.

(Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru; Spanish edited by Flora Gomez)