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Sept 30 (Reuters) - European shares opened lower on

Monday as investors prepared for a week packed with a slew of

economic data from the region, while comments from ECB President

Christine Lagarde were awaited.

The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 0.1% to 527.47

points by 0710 GMT. The benchmark was set to gain for a third

straight month, seeing its longest winning streak in nearly

seven months.

Gains in the oil sector kept losses in check. Oil

prices rose on fears of escalation of the conflict in the Middle

East.

Germany's preliminary CPI figures for September are due at

1200 GMT, while Italy's are due at 0900 GMT.

Britain's GDP figures for the second quarter showed its

economy grew slower than expected. The FTSE was flat.

The European Central Bank President Lagarde is due to speak

at the European Parliament at 1300 GMT.

Volkswagen fell 2% after the German carmaker cut

its 2024 guidance.

Stellantis NV ( STLA ) slumped 8% after the French-Italian

carmaker slashed its annual guidance, citing a deterioration in

global industry dynamics.

Automobile shares fell 2.2%, the most among sectors.

British multinational private equity and venture capital

firm 3i Group ( TGOPF ) dropped 3.5% after Shadowfall Capital

reportedly took a short bet on the company.

(Reporting by Pranav Kashyap in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank

Dhaniwala)