Brussels, March 11 (QNA) - European stock indices fell Wednesday as investors assessed the economic repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East and US inflation data.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed down 0.6 percent, with most European stock exchanges declining.

The German index recorded the largest drop, falling 1.4 percent, impacted by an 8 percent decline in Rheinmetall shares after the defense company's 2026 profit margin and free cash flow forecasts fell short of some analysts' expectations.

This decline also led to a 1.8 percent drop in the defense sector, while the industrial sector fell 1.2 percent. (QNA)