Brussels, August 20 (QNA) - European stocks slipped on Wednesday, retreating from a five-month closing high in the previous session.

The pan-European STOXX 600 indexآ was down 0.4%, with most major bourses trading in the red.

Britain's blue-chip FTSE 100 dipped 0.2% after data showed UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, its highest since early 2024 and in line with the Bank of England's expectations.

Shares of defense-linked companies dropped 1.5% in early trade.

Tech stocks dropped nearly 1%.

Among other stocks, Alcon slumped 9.8% after the Swiss-American eye-care group cut its 2025 net sales outlook on expected impact of US tariffs. (QNA)