(Reuters) – European stocks fell lower on Friday, on track to end the second straight week of gains, as investors waited for more signs of progress in U.S. stimulus measures, while and an increase in shares of ASML and ING monitored a decline.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.1%, after gaining nearly 4% so far this month.
ING Groep NV jumped 5% after the largest Dutch bank reported better-than-expected quarterly quarterly pre-tax earnings of 1.05 billion euros ($ 1.27 billion).
ASML Holding NV rose 1.5% after Dutch equipment maker said chip shortages slowed car production as a sign of increased demand which is putting pressure on suppliers across the semiconductor sector.
European technology stocks were 0.4% higher, among a few sectors in advanced range in early trading.
Market participants were hopeful that a $ 1.9 trillion U.S. incentive bill would soon be passed by lawmakers, with data showing a surge in U.S. labor market strengthening the case for it. [MKTS/GLOB]
Reporting by Shreyashi Sanyal in Bengaluru; Edited by Shounak Dasgupta