European stocks close lower with Russia-Ukraine tensions, PMI data in focus 
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed down 1.4%, having initially traded higher at the start of the session. Autos dropped 2.7% to lead losses as all sectors and major bourses slid into the red. 
Credit Suisse said on Sunday that it “strongly rejects” allegations published following a coordinated global media investigation into a mass leak of its client data over previous decades. The leaked information was purported to contain human rights abusers and businessmen under sanctions. Credit Suisse shares fell 3%. 
Shares of Swedish real estate company SBB gained 6% to lead the Stoxx 600 by late-afternoon, with high trading volumes causing wild swings for the stock after short seller Viceroy Research announced that it had a short position against the company’s shares. 
On the data front, IHS Markit’s flash euro area composite PMI (purchasing managers’ index) reading, seen as a reliable gauge of overall economic health, came in at a five-month high of 55.8 in February despite record rises in consumer prices. 
The figure significantly outpaced the 52.7 forecast in a Reuters poll and the 52.3 seen in January. 
Source: CNBC, Investing.com