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Nov 17 (Reuters) - European stocks eased from eight-month
highs on Tuesday as tighter coronavirus restrictions across the
continent halted a market rally that was powered by encouraging
COVID-19 vaccine updates.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX slipped 0.1% by
0808 GMT. It closed at it highest level since Feb. 27 on Monday
after positive data from drugmaker Moderna 's MRNA.O COVID-19
vaccine. Near-term economic outlook remains hazy, with Sweden moving
to restrict the size of public gatherings as COVID-19 cases
spike and a British medical adviser suggesting strengthening the
three-tier system of restrictions when the full lockdown in
England ends. European banks .SX7P retreated after a more than 3% surge.
BBVA BBVA.MC fell 3.4% after it and smaller rival Sabadell
SABE.MC said they were in talks to create Spain's
second-biggest domestic lender by assets. Oil and gas .SXEP and travel .SXTP stocks also slipped.