A sharp turn lower across risky assets just ahead of the open on Wall Street put European shares on course for their worst day since last September, with tech and sectors most sensitive to higher interest rates the biggest drags. The STOXX 600 index was down 1.2 percent to a 2-month low. Euro zone blue chips fell 1.5 percent.
Traditionally defensive, dividend-paying sectors such as personal and household goods, health care and food and beverages were among the biggest fallers. A slew of hawkish comments from global central banks has spurred a rally in bond yields and sent the euro to its highest in more than a year. Tech stocks, the top performing sector this year, came under pressure, down 2.3 percent, mirroring losses among US peers. Banks and oil-related shares were the only two sectors in green.