LIVE MARKETS-Fed independence concerns, French banks weigh on STOXX 600

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FED INDEPENDENCE CONCERNS, FRENCH BANKS WEIGH ON STOXX 600

Europe's STOXX 600 .STOXX is down 0.8%, on track for its biggest daily fall since August 1st as markets remain on edge as questions over the future of the Federal Reserve's independence ramped up.

Also weighing on sentiment is political uncertainty in France. French stocks have been caught in a broader rout as the country's minority government looked increasingly likely to be ousted next month.

Banks are particularly hard hit, with Societe Generale, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole all down 6.5%-7.5%, near the bottom of the STOXX 600 index.

On the flipside, UK business supplies distributor Bunzl BNZL.L is topping the index with shares up 6.3% after resuming its share buyback and reiterating its 2025 forecast.

European home improvement retailer Kingfisher KGF.L and Associated British Foods ABF.L meanwhile are falling in the UK by around 4.2% after a broker downgrade.

(Lucy Raitano)

FOR TUESDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES SLIP, FED INDEPENDENCE CONCERNS WEIGH CLICK HERE

MARKETS ASK AGAIN OF TRUMP: 'CAN HE DO THAT?' CLICK HERE