Oil Surge Weighs On European Markets Despite U.K. GDP Strength

(RTTNews) - European stocks pared early gains and slipped into negative territory on Wednesday as oil prices rebounded amid continued uncertainty about U.S. and Iran reaching a deal to end their conflict anytime soon. Weak regional economic data hurt German and French stocks, while U.K. stocks slightly outperformed thanks to stronger than expected GDP data. Investors looked ahead to U.S. inflation data for clues about Federal Reserve's likely moves with regard to interest rates. Brent crude futures for December delivery climbed to $97.90 a barrel, gaining about 1.8%. Lingering concerns about energy supply due to a lack of progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz continued to render the oil market quite volatile. The U.K.