<span>STORY: European stocks fell to a one-month low on Tuesday as the global stock market rout gathered pace.</span><span>Investors are focusing on the prospect of a protracted war in the Middle East.</span><span>and the inflationary sting from a new surge in oil prices.</span><span>The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 2.6%, on track for its biggest one-day drop since April.</span><span>If the decline persists, the benchmark index would be down about 4% over the past two sessions.</span><span>Every sector in the Stoxx 600 fell, led by financials.</span><span>The banking index fell to a near three-month low, with UK-focused banks seen as more vulnerable to Middle East risks being the hardest hit.</span><span>Travel brands remain under tremendous pressure. Lufthansa fell 4% in early trading.</span><span>British Airways parent IAG fell 5.2%, while Air France-KLM fell 5%.</span><span>Europe is worried that the energy shock will reignite inflation while squeezing already tepid economic growth.</span><span>The attacks disrupted commercial shipping in the Gulf as the Strait of Hormuz is closed to sea traffic.</span><span>It is seen as an artery for the fuel and petroleum products on which Europe depends.</span>
