European shares fall as Greek stocks slide

EUROPEAN shares fell as renewed worries over Greece weighed on the region’s stock markets.

Athens’ benchmark ATG equity index fell 4.4 percent on concern over a deadlock in Greece’s attempts to make a deal with its international creditors.

Greece stepped up diplomatic efforts with its euro zone partners on Tuesday to avoid running out of money this month, when it must make a big debt repayment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as cash reserves dry up.

Talks continued with the IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank on a cash-for-reform deal, but serious differences remained over pensions, labour reform and the minimum wage.

Greece is not going to get sorted out any time soon. At the moment, I’m more bearish than bullish and I would sell on any stock market rally,” said Terry Torrison, managing director at Monaco-based McLaren Securities.

Stock markets also came under pressure after the U.S. trade deficit grew in March to its widest in nearly 6 1/2 years, suggesting economic growth contracted in the first quarter.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index, which reached its highest level in more than 14 years last month, fell 0.3 percent to 1,575.05 points.

Germany’s DAX, which also hit record highs last month, declined 1.2 percent. France’s CAC fell 0.9 percent.

Spanish insurer Mapfre fell 5.1 percent, the worst performer on the FTSEurofirst, after reporting a drop in first- quarter profits.

UBS rose 6 percent after the Swiss bank posted its highest quarterly profit in nearly five years.

Many traders said economic stimulus by the European Central Bank (ECB) was limiting any damage to European stock markets from uncertainty over Greece. Record-low interest rates, coupled with ECB plans to buy government bonds, have pushed investors to the better returns available from stocks.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index remains up by around 15 percent since the start of 2015. The DAX is up 17 percent.