European stocks decline following stock prices of oil companies, and a number of banks shares continue to become cheaper on the weak results of the stress tests.

Also disappointing manufacturing data in China and the United States continued to weigh on market sentiment, while investors focus today on the next series of corporate reports.

Data released on Monday showed that the official index of business activity in China's manufacturing sector weakened in July to 49.9 from 50.0 in the previous month, compared to expectations for no change.

In addition, the US Institute for Supply Management reported that its index of business activity in the manufacturing sector fell last month to 52.6 from June's 53.2. Analysts had forecast a decline in the index to 53.0.

The composite index of the largest companies in the region Stoxx Europe 600 fell during trading on 1,4% - to 335.26 points.

Market attention this week is aimed at meeting the Bank of England, which will be held August 3-4. Experts consensus forecast provides for the reduction of the base interest rate of the British Central Bank to 0.25% from 0.5%.

Shares of Royal Dutch Shell fell during trading on 1,6%, BP by 0.8%.

Securities of British banks Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) fell by 3.2% and 3.3%.

According to the results of stress tests by the European Banking Authority, EBA, Barclays was among the laggards, while RBS would show one of the harshest deterioration of capital adequacy in the negative developments.

Price of Commerzbank shares fell by almost 8%. The cost of InterContinental Hotels Group shares rose during trading on 1,7%. The hotel chain has cut its net profit in January-June by 46%, to $ 200 million, to $ 838 million The company said to be confident in the forecasts for the remainder of the year.

German retailer Metro's shares were down 6.5% as the company reported a surprise loss in the third quarter, mainly related to the cost of the reorganization of its operations in the wholesale markets in Germany, Belgium and Italy.

Shares of the German manufacturer Infineon slowed down 4% after its profit and revenue fell short of forecasts due to falling demand in the power supply and control units of plastic cards.

Shares of Deutsche Lufthansa AG rose 0.4% after the German airline company reported a nearly 12% increase in profits for the first half year on year. However, the group warned that the second half will be more difficult and that it will continue to strive for cost reductions.

At the moment:

FTSE 6660.71 -33.24 -0.50%

DAX 10196.97 -133.55 -1.29%

CAC 4348.49 -60.68 -1.38%