LIVE MARKETS-Stoxx at 6-week low

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STOXX AT SIX-WEEK LOW

European shares are broadly lower in the first hour of trading, with the STOXX 600 at its lowest since early May, with only the oil and gas index .SXEP in positive territory.

With geopolitical tension weighing, the index is down 0.7% with all major national bourses also under water.

Away from geopolitics, the Swiss market index is one underperformer, down over 1% after the Swiss National Bank cut its interest rate to zero, but did not take them back into negative territory.

Recruitment firms are also of note. London-listed Hays HAYS.L is down 13% after it forecast a more than 57% drop in annual operating profit, dragging on other peers. Page Group PAGE.L is off 8%, and Ranstad RAND.AS 3.9%.

(Alun John)

EARLIER LIVE MARKETS POSTS

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: NERVES ARE BUILDING CLICK HERE

MORNING BID EUROPE: GEOPOLITICS, RATE DECISIONS KEEP MARKETS CAUTIOUS CLICK HERE