LIVE MARKETS-Weak start for the STOXX; defence, energy up

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WEAK START FOR THE STOXX; DEFENCE, ENERGY UP

Fresh trade policy uncertainty and sharp losses in Polish stocks dragged European shares lower on Monday, with declines being partly offset by gains in oil and defence stocks.

Poland's WIG20 .WIG20 benchmark index fell as much as 3.4% before paring losses, underperforming the broader STOXX 600 .STOXX, after a nationalist won the presidential election in a blow for the country's pro-EU government.

U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of higher steel tariffs made for a cautious tone. Steelmaker ArcelorMittal MT.LU fell over 1% after declines in South Korea and Vietnam peers, while steel-consumer autos .SXAP led sectoral fallers, down 1.5%.

Tech .SX8P was another weak spot.

Bucking the broader trend were defence plays .SXPARO, with no end in sight for the over 3-year long war between Ukraine and Russia, while energy .SXEP rose on stronger crude prices.

The STOXX .STOXX was down 0.2% and the commodity heavy FTSE 100 .FTSE added 0.1%. Here is your opening snapshot:

(Danilo Masoni)

EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

BEFORE THE BELL: MORE TRADE UNCERTAINTY, POLISH VOTE CLICK HERE

TARIFF PLOT TWISTS LOSE THEIR BITE CLICK HERE