European shares muted on caution ahead of US tariff deadline
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European shares were subdued in early trading on Wednesday, as cautious investors held out from making big bets while awaiting clarity ahead of a fresh round of U.S. tariffs set to take effect next week. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was about flat, as of 0809 GMT. Energy stocks firmed about 0.8% as oil prices touched a three-week high. Defensive sectors including healthcare and telecom were in a weak spot. Shares of MFE-MediaForEurope rose 1% after Reuters reported, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter, that the TV group controlled by Italy's Berlusconi family has called for a board meeting to review a possible bid for German peer ProSiebenSat.1. ProSieben shares firmed 3.9%. Meanwhile, latest data showed French consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in March. France's CAC 40 index was about flat. Live Events However, the STOXX 600 index is on track for its best quarter in two years, helped by hopes that a hist...