European stocks weakened on Tuesday as investors focused on the timing of an ECB rate cut

European stock markets were generally weak on Tuesday, with sectors underperforming, offsetting gains in mining stocks. Investors waited for the European Central Bank this week to provide clues about the timing of interest rate cuts. The Euro Stoxx 600 closed down 0.3 per cent, with the basic resources sector outperforming the broader market and the renewable energy sector leading the gains. However, most industry sectors were lower, with interest rate-sensitive real estate stocks falling the most.Mohit Kumar, chief European economist at Jefferies International, lowered his bullish expectations and expects ECB President Christine Lagarde to indicate that she needs to see more data on wage inflation, suggesting that the first interest rate cut could come by early summer.