European Stocks Advance as Investors Rotate Into Defensives

European stocks rose, with defensive sectors such as health care and real estate outperforming amid lingering worries around artificial intelligence.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was up 0.4% by the close. Banking and insurance stocks also gained, while miners were the biggest laggards following a slide metal prices. Oil dropped, dragging energy shares lower on signs that the US and Iran have made progress in nuclear talks.