European shares fell for a fourth straight session on Tuesday due to losses in British blue chips and weak euro zone inflation data, while the technology sector outperformed on gains in major Apple suppliers, according to Reuters. Apple suppliers in the region rose after the iPhone maker was reported to have asked suppliers to make at least 75 million 5G phones for later this year, propping up the technology index. The pan-European STOXX 600 index ended 0.4% lower after swinging in a range of 0.8% to negative 1%. The benchmark index has fallen behind its Wall Street peers this year, sticking to a tight trading range since June amid signs of a stalling euro zone economic recovery. The European volatility index rose as much as 1 point to 27.8950 during the session. Inflation in the bloc turned negative last month for the first time since May 2016, putting further pressure on the European Central Bank to inject yet more stimulus to generate price growth, which has undershot its target for over seven years. A recovery in local manufacturing activity continued through August, a survey showed. British blue-chip stocks fell in catch-up trade after a holiday on Monday, touching a more than three-month closing low.
