London: European stock indices closed lower Wednesday, with gains in the commodity and defense sectors, while declines in healthcare and luxury goods companies. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed down 0.2 percent, while regional stock exchanges were mixed. France's CAC 40 led the declines, falling 0.6 percent.

According to Qatar News Agency, the basic resources sector index rose 1.8 percent as copper prices hit a 15-month high, and the energy sector index gained 1.5 percent after crude oil prices reached a three-week high. Anglo American shares jumped 4.7 percent after Endiama offered to buy a minority stake in its De Beers diamond unit.

Defense stocks, including Rheinmetall, Hensoldt, and Saab, rose between 3 and 8 percent after US President Donald Trump said he believed Ukraine was capable of reclaiming all of its Russian-controlled territory and that Kyiv must act now. Losses in luxury goods stocks, such as LVMH, EFG Hermes Holding, Richemont, and Essilor Luxottica, weighed on the Stoxx 600.