European Stocks Fall as Energy, Inflation Fears Persist

European stocks opened the fourth quarter lower on Thursday, with the STOXX 600, DAX, and CAC 40 each down 0.6% and the FTSE 100 off 1.1%. Stalled Middle East peace talks kept oil prices elevated, while preliminary September data showed faster-than-expected inflation in France, Italy, and Spain, driven by fuel and gas costs. Investors remain cautious ahead of more economic data and earnings.