* European shares open 0.3% lower
* Travel stocks top sectoral decliners
* STMicro and Novozymes at multi-yr highs after estimate-beating results
* ECB rate decision later today Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Thyagaraju Adinarayan. Reach him on Messenger to share your thoughts on market moves: thyagaraju.adinarayan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
OPENING SNAPSHOT: TRAVEL STOCKS BRUISED, STMICRO AND NOVOZYMES FLY (0828 GMT)
European stocks on the backfoot as expected and all broad-based moves point to risk-off mood among investors as China virus scare hits travel stocks and a potential auto tariff dents cars.
In single stocks, Hochtief HOTG.DE and its majority owner ACS ACS.MC drop sharply after Aussie unit CIMIC Group CIM.AX expects to take a one-off charge of $1.23 billion from its Middle East exit.
In earnings, Novozymes NZYMb.CO , ASOS ASOS.L and STMicro STM.BN stocks are flying after their estimate-beating results.
Airlines and hotels are under pressure with IHG IHG.L and Air France AIRF.PA at the bottom of the STOXX travel & leisure index .SXTP .
Banks and insurance stocks are top sectoral performers (although just barely in black) ahead of the ECB interest rate meeting later today.
(Thyagaraju Adinarayan)
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ON OUR RADAR: TRAVEL STOCKS, ASOS, STMICRO (0753 GMT)
Rapid spread of a new flu-like virus in China is sending a chill down Europe with stock futures pointing to a 0.4% decline, a day after Germany's DAX .GDAXI and the pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX briefly touched record highs.
Investors are also cautious ahead of ECB's rate decision later today.
Among sectors, auto stocks .SXAP are likely to continue to crumble under pressure as Trump's latest tariff threat adds onto to worries of falling sales and shrinking margins.
Airlines, hotels and luxury sectors are on our radar as tourism will take a hit due to virus scare in China, just as millions were preparing to travel for the Lunar New Year.
UK's IHG IHG.L says will allow customers to change or cancel stays scheduled up to Feb. 3 across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan at no additional cost.
It's earnings Thursday here and some decent beats could come to rescue the downbeat sentiment in markets. European chip stocks are in focus after STMicro's STM.PA STM.MI fourth quarter earnings beat. Traders see STMicro shares to open flat to 3% higher.
ASOS ASOS.L sales raced past estimates (+20% vs. consensus of +15%) in latest evidence that online retailers have had a great Christmas at the cost of high street players. ASOS is seen rising 5% to 7% -- a positive read across for Boohoo BOOH.L and Zalando ZALG.DE .
Other significant moves: Germany's Hochtief HOTG.DE seen 5% down on 800 million euro on-time charge; Lufthansa LHAG.DE seen +2% after report on potential listing of stake in its jet-maintenance unit; Mothercare MTC.L seen down 5%, trader says positive tones around the rescue and refinancing, but the administration of Mothercare UK has cost a further 10 million pounds
Headlines to digest:
Getlink's revenues hit by Brexit and strikes in France posts Q4 net revenues beat but sees sales slowing q/q weighs listing of stake in jet-maintenance unit- Bloomberg ASOS beats sales forecasts in Christmas period to waive fees for China hotel stay cancellations amid viral outbreak American's fourth-quarter output rises on Brazil mine strength Says Recapitalisation On Track, CEO To Leave Blue Prism says momentum building after revenue rises 83% Adinarayan)
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STOCKS ON BACKFOOT ON CHINA VIRUS SCARE (0650 GMT)
European stocks are seen edging lower ahead of the ECB's rate decision and as investors continue to worry about the spread of spread of a new flu-like virus in China. The caution in Europe follows a steep 3% sell-off in Chinese stocks.
Auto stocks could come under further pressure as U.S. President Trump threatened to impose high tariffs on imports of cars from the European Union if the bloc doesn't agree to a trade deal.
Financial spreadbetters IG expect London's FTSE to open 9 points lower at 7,563, Frankfurt's DAX to open 46 points lower at 13,470 and Paris' CAC to open 21 points lower at 5,990.
It's also a busy day for earnings with a slew of earnings reports pouring in. STMicro STM.PA , which provides chips and sensors to Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Tesla, reported Q4 sales slightly above its outlook but warned of a slowdown next quarter. Adinarayan)
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