European stock markets closed lower across the board today:uropean STOXX 600 index fell 1.30 percent at the close. Germany's DAX index dropped 1.77 percent, France's CAC 40 index lost 1.64 percent, and the UK's FTSE 100 index declined 0.73 percent.

According to Qatar News Agency, the pressure was further compounded by Alphabet's announcement on Wednesday that it was potentially increasing its 2026 capital expenditure plans by $15 billion, reinforcing investor concerns about the ability of artificial intelligence investments to deliver substantial returns.