The main European stock markets were down slightly at the start of trading on Tuesday, as the publication of contrasting economic indicators in China gave investors a breather after several sessions in the green.

In Paris, the CAC 40 lost 0.09% to 7,036.74 points at 09:08 GMT. In London, the FTSE 100 lost 0.08%, while in Frankfurt, the Dax was down 0.16%.

The EuroStoxx 50 index is down 0.16%, the FTSEurofirst 300 0.13% and the Stoxx 600 0.11%.

The latter had gained 2% over the previous four sessions, taking it to its highest level since April.

Investors are still digesting the slew of statistics published this morning in China. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to an annualized 2.9% in the last three months of 2022, according to official statistics, a pace nonetheless higher than the Reuters consensus. Over 2022 as a whole, China's GDP grew by 3.0%, one of the lowest growth rates since 1976.

At the same time, Chinese industrial production came in above expectations at +1.3% year-on-year in December, and the decline in retail sales slowed more than expected to 1.8%.

"GDP growth in the fourth quarter, which was much higher than expected, was due to the positive surprise in consumption. But retail sales are still down 1.8% year-on-year. This leaves us puzzled," said Tommy Wu, senior economist at Commerzbank.

"The current wave of COVID-19 is likely to weigh on China's growth early this year. But the rapid and abrupt reopening means that economic activity could return to normal in the second quarter, or even as early as March."

Shanghai's SSE Composite index closed down 0.1%, while mainland China's CSI 300 ended flat.

On the value side, Renault stabilized after gaining up to 1.5%. Several sources told Reuters that the automaker and China's Geely were working to finalize an agreement on Saudi Aramco's entry as investor and partner in their gasoline engine and hybrid technology joint venture.

Other sources reported that Nissan's directors had given the go-ahead to reach an agreement with Renault on the reorganization of their alliance, following the French group's latest proposals.

STMicroelectronics gained 1.41% in Paris after Barclays began monitoring the stock at "overweight", with a target of 60 euros.

Global luxury goods giant LVMH briefly hit a record high of 795.70 euros, giving it a market capitalization in excess of 400 billion euros for the first time.

The Footsie's biggest faller, Ocado, was down 5.45%, as the online supermarket joint venture with Marks & Spencer reported a slowdown in consumer spending in the run-up to Christmas. (Laetitia Volga, edited by Blandine Hénault)