Europe’s STOXX 600 fell 0.3% by 0725 GMT, with autos stocks again the worst performers, falling 0.9% and driving Germany’s DAX down 0.5% as BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler declined.

The pan-European index hit its lowest since April 12 while the autos sector, a prominent target of higher US tariffs, neared its lowest in ten months.

Energy stocks helped limit losses, rising 1% as crude prices climbed on supply disruption in Canada and after US officials told importers to stop buying Iranian crude from November.

Shares in takeover target IWG, the British workspace firm, fell 4.1% after it warned on profit, blaming the cost of opening new space and a weak performance in Britain.

Traders said the takeover interest from private equity firms Terra Firma and TDR Capital among others were supporting the stock despite the profit warning.

With economic and company news thin on the ground, broker recommendations drove some big moves.

Imerys shares jumped 6.4% to the top of the STOXX 600 after analysts at Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the mineral extracting and processing company to “outperform” from “neutral”.

Shares in French oil storage and distribution company Rubis fell 5% after Berenberg cut the stock to “hold” from “buy.

Czech utility CEZ traded ex-dividend, down 5.3%.