Brussels, November 19 (QNA) - European stocks closed flat at the end of trading Wednesday, as investors awaited the earnings report from chipmaker Nvidia, which could determine the direction of trading in AI-related stocks.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed unchanged at 561.71 points.

Most other major regional indices declined, with Germany's DAX down 0.1 percent, France's CAC 40 down 0.2 percent, and Britain's FTSE 100 down 0.5 percent.

Nvidia's earnings report, due after the market closes today, is seen as a true test of the AI-driven rally and could either fuel or calm investor concerns about high valuations.

European aerospace and defense stocks fell 2.3% on Wednesday to their lowest level since early September amid signs of renewed U.S.-led efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Shares of Rheinmetall, RENKE, BAE Systems, Leonardo, and SAP were among the biggest losers on the Stoxx index, with losses ranging from 4.5% to 7.7%.

The utilities sector fell 1.4%, while the energy sector declined 0.4%.

On the other hand, technology stocks recovered from early losses to rise 0.4%.

Mining stocks climbed 0.8%, boosted by higher gold prices.

Nokia shares plunged 6.9% after the Finnish telecoms equipment maker's new long-term financial targets missed market expectations. (QNA)