Global Market: European shares slip as tech stocks drag; ECB policy decision in focus

European shares declined as the pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.5 per cent to 643.47 points, with the technology sector being the biggest drag. French-Italian chipmaker STMicroelectronics tumbled 15 per cent after forecasting third-quarter revenue below expectations, while sentiment weakened after Alphabet raised its 2026 capital expenditure by $15 billion. Energy stocks gained 0.6 per cent as Brent crude rose above $96 per barrel following US strikes on Iran and Houthi attacks on Red Sea oil tankers, with the ECB policy decision also in focus.