Doha: European stock indices closed mixed at the close of trading Tuesday, affected by declines in healthcare and banking sectors, while a recovery in luxury goods stocks in France limited yesterday's losses. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.2 percent, moving away from the record highs reached in the previous session.

According to Qatar News Agency, the German DAX index closed down 7.49 points, or 0.03 percent, to reach 24,385.78 points, while the British FTSE 100 index rose 4.44 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 9,483.58 points. Spanish stocks fell 0.2 percent after hitting their highest levels in nearly 18 years last Friday, while French stocks stabilized after paring earlier gains due to a sharp sell-off following the surprise resignation of Prime Minister S©bastien Lecornu yesterday.

The French index remains the worst performer in Europe since the beginning of the year, rising only about 8 percent, compared to double-digit gains in other countries. This reflects market concerns about the parliamentary division and growing political instability since President Emmanuel Macron's re-election in 2022. In contrast, the luxury goods sector jumped 1.8 percent, supported by investor optimism about a gradual recovery in the sector.

Healthcare stocks were among the biggest losers in Europe, with the sector index falling 0.4 percent, weighed down by a 2.8 percent drop in Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk after a US court rejected the company's appeal against the Medicare drug price negotiation program. Shares in German company Bayer also fell 2 percent after a report from Goldman Sachs indicated that the company's third-quarter earnings may fall short of estimates.