UPDATE 2-European shares end lower as miners and tech are pressured by firmer yields

* UK miners trade ex-dividend
* Lufthansa slips after record 2020 loss
* Tech stocks slide amid semiconductor shortage, Wall St
losses
* Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield tops STOXX 600

(Updates to market close)
By Sruthi Shankar and Ambar Warrick
March 4 (Reuters) - European stocks closed lower on Thursday
as a renewed rise in U.S. bond yields and expectations of a jump
in inflation hit risk appetite, with heavyweight miners and
technology stocks leading losses.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX fell 0.4%, with
miners .SXPP dropping the most among the European sectors.
UK-listed heavyweights Rio Tinto RIO.L and BHP Group BHPB.L
shed 7.7% and 5.8%, respectively, as they traded ex-dividend.
Technology stocks .SX8P , the driver of the market's
rebound from pandemic-driven lows, fell 3.3% as a global
semiconductor shortage weighed on the sector, while a rise in
bond yields also spurred more scrutiny of high stock valuations.
US/
Dutch firm ASML Holding NV ASML.AS dropped 6.1% despite
news that it had extended a deal to sell chip manufacturing
equipment to China's largest chipmaker SMIC 0981.HK .
"While one can understand why investors are concerned about
valuations in the U.S., particularly around the tech sector ...
the same can't be said in Europe, where valuations are much
lower," Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets
wrote in a note.
Unlike U.S. stocks, the STOXX 600 has yet to reach
pre-pandemic highs, as a fresh round of lockdowns and sluggish
economic growth cut short an early bounceback from lows hit last
March.
Market participants were also waiting for comments from
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding the recent jump
in borrowing costs. European Central Bank policymaker Klaas Knot said the recent
rise in euro zone borrowing costs may reflect improved growth
and inflation prospects. "A steepening curve is to some extent a sign that monetary
policy is bearing fruit," analysts at Rabobank wrote in a note.
"However, (the ECB) are also wary that too rapid an increase
could stop the fragile recovery in its track."
Euro zone bond yields are significantly lower than those in
the United States, with many investors welcoming the recent rise
in yields as signs of economic reflation.
Sefensive sectors such as utilities .SX6P , food & beverage
.SX3P and real estate .SX86P all advanced.
Among individual movers, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield URW.AS
- Europe's biggest retail property owner - topped the STOXX 600
after French tycoon Xavier Niel raised his stake in the firm.
German broadcaster Prosiebensat.1 Media PSMGn.DE fell 7.3%
after forecasting that revenue and profits would grow in single
digits this year, after a strong showing in the fourth quarter.
German airline Lufthansa LHAG.DE slipped 3% as it posted
record losses for 2020 and trimmed its 2021 capacity plans as
COVID-19 disruption drags on.