12:15 PM EDT, 05/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed lower in Tuesday trading as The Stoxx Europe 600 was down 0.21%, the Swiss Market Index decreased 0.30%, France's CAC fell 0.67%, the FTSE in London was off 0.09%, and Germany's DAX dropped 0.23%.

Seasonally adjusted production in construction increased 0.1% in the euro area and decreased 0.1% in the EU in March compared with February, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. Compared with March 2023, production in construction increased 0.1% the euro area and decreased by 0.7% in the EU

Eurostat also reported a 24.1 billion euro ($26.2 billion) surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in March, compared with a 19.1 billion-euro surplus a year earlier.

And in corporate news, English pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Tuesday it is targeting total revenue of $80 billion by 2030, up from $45.8 billion in 2023. The company said it expects to reach the target through portfolio expansion and the expected launch of 20 new medicines before the end of the decade. Shares of AstraZeneca were up more than 2% on the FTSE in London.

Apple is challenging a 1.8 billion euro fine from the European Union for allegedly hampering competition from rival music streamers, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Apple and Spotify did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' requests for comment. The European Commission said it did not have any specific comment but generally "stands ready to defend all its decisions in Court."

UK oil and gas company Shell's shareholders voted in favor of a new energy transition plan that includes lower carbon-emissions targets while also rejecting a resolution seeking higher standards, according to media reports.

British telecoms giant BT Group is pushing back the transition of its landlines to digital from analog to the end of January 2027. Shares of the company were down more than 3% in London.

Finnish telecommunications operator Nokia said Tuesday it has executed a framework agreement with Export-Import bank providing financing vehicles to its partners. The company said the collaboration will enable job creation, technology investment, and supply chain expansion.