European Shares Flat as Investors Await Economic Data, ECB Speeches

European shares started the week on a subdued note as investors await significant economic data from the region. The pan-European STOXX 600 index held steady, with key PMI figures from the Eurozone, Germany, France, and the UK expected. Important speeches from ECB board members will also guide market sentiment.

European shares started Monday on a subdued note as investors maintained a cautious stance ahead of a slew of key economic data from the region through the week.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index held its ground at 514.43, as of 0710 GMT. Euro zone's flash PMI data for September is set to drop at 0800 GMT, while Germany's and Britain's flash PMI figures are due at 0730 GMT.

France's flash PMI figures for September are expected at 0715 GMT. Board members from the European Central Bank are set to speak through the week, with Frank Elderson and Piero Cipollone speaking later in the day.

Among individual stock moves, TotalEnergies gained about 1% after the oil giant said it will supply up to 1.5 million tons of more sustainable aviation fuel to Air France-KLM. Shares of Germany's Commerzbank fell 4.4% as the government said it would retain its 12% stake in the lender, that will likely keep any merger with Italy's UniCredit on hold.

AstraZeneca dropped 1% after its experimental precision drug developed with Daiichi Sankyo did not significantly improve overall survival for patients with a type of breast cancer in a late-stage trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)