European equity markets fell in early trading on Wednesday ahead of key business growth data, as broader markets weighed the possible fallout from a visit by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. United States, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan.

The STOXX 600 index was down 0.2% at 7:10 GMT.

Investors are awaiting crucial data on business and services growth in the euro zone to gauge the continent’s economic health amid fears of a recession.

Luxury carmaker BMW fell 5.5% after warning of a volatile second half.

Strong earnings reports from other companies limited losses in morning trading.

Infineon, the leading supplier of microchips to the auto industry, rose 3.1% after raising its full-year outlook and posting a 33% year-on-year rise in quarterly revenue.

Britain’s competition regulator said it had provisionally authorized the $8.6 billion purchase of cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock from rival Avast. Avast shares, listed in London, rose 42.4%.

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