LONDON (Reuters) - A slump among technology stocks after a global cyber attack added to depressed crude prices to cast a cloud over European shares on Wednesday, sending them to their lowest in two months.
The pan-European STOXX 600 (STOXX) hit its lowest since April 24 in early deals, down 0.7 percent, in step with euro zone stocks (STOXXE) and blue-chips (STOXX50E).
Technology stocks (SX8P) fell 1.2 percent to a two-week low, the worst performer with every stock on the index in the red, hit by jitters after a ransomware attack swept the globe, disrupting computers at banks and large companies including WPP (L:WPP), Moeller Maersk (CO:MAERSKb) and Metro (DE:MEOG).
Semiconductor makers AMS (S:AMS), Dialog Semiconductor (DE:DLGS), ASM International (AS:ASMI) and STMicro (MI:STM) were among the worst performers.
Lower oil prices weighed on oil and gas stocks (SXEP), with Tullow Oil (L:TLW) the biggest faller after its first-half results.
Meanwhile, positive results and acquisitions drove the handful of gainers.
Business supplies distributor Bunzl (L:BNZL) rose 4 percent after saying a boost in recent acquisitions would help it increase first-half revenue 7 percent.
French industrial group Legrand (PA:LEGD) rose 2.8 percent after saying it would buy U.S. infrastructure company Milestone.