European stocks were off to a muted start on Tuesday following three sessions of gains as gloomy trading in Asia and an unexpected drop in German industrial orders offset a jump in commodity stocks.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.1 per cent by 0717 GMT, with automakers sliding the most.

Data showed orders for German-made goods posted their sharpest slump in May since the first lockdown in 2020, hurt by weaker demand from countries outside the euro zone.

The oil and gas sector jumped 0.8 per cent as crude prices hit their highest levels since 2018 after Opec+ discussions were called off.

European markets up as Wall Street takes a holiday for Independence Day

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World stocks near record highs as investors weigh Covid risks

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European shares slide as investors lock in profits

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European shares fall as inflation worries hit economically sensitive sectors

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UK-listed oil majors BP and Royal Dutch Shell gained almost 1 per cent each.

French train maker Alstom fell 7.6 per cent to the bottom of Stoxx 600 after it forecast negative free cash flow for its fiscal year. – Reuters