European Stocks Fall as Earnings Disappoint

European stock markets fell modestly while the euro strengthened broadly, as investors digested a range of disappointing earnings from BP, UBS and STMicroelectronics, as well as the debt stalemate in Washington.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index fell 0.4% to 270.08, as a lack of progress over U.S. debt talks and the lingering cloud of Europe's sovereign concerns kept buyers on the sidelines.