Market Overview

European markets opened lower on Monday, with investors bracing for the impact of impending US tariffs set to take effect on April 2. Amidst this, a flurry of economic data from across the continent has captured the attention of market participants.

Economic Data Highlights

Germany reported a 4.9% rise in retail sales in real terms for February, offering a glimmer of positive news. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is set to release mortgage approval figures, and Italy will disclose its consumer price index data. The Bank of England is also on the agenda with its Quarterly Bulletin.

Market Performance

The DAX fell by 0.97% at the open, with Siemens leading the decline at 3.40%. The FTSE 100 wasn't far behind, dropping 0.29%, as Associated British Foods shed 3.44%. The Euro Stoxx 50 saw a 0.80% decrease, with BASF being the hardest hit, down 2.51%. France's CAC 40 decreased by 1%, influenced by Teleperformance's 2.12% drop.

Currency Movements

On the currency front, the euro appreciated by 0.10% against the dollar, trading at 1.08406, while the pound sterling gained 0.17%, reaching 1.29608.