Energy shares hit over twomonth lows, biggest drag
Maersk gains on annual profit forecast lift
German unemployment rises morethanexpected

June 4 Reuters European shares slipped on Tuesday as weakness in crude prices dragged energy stocks, while investors refrained from placing huge bets before the European Central Bank39;s interest rate decision later this week.

The continentwide STOXX 600 was down 0.4 by 0810 GMT, snapping a threeday winning streak.

Energy stocks dropped 2 to hit over a twomonth low, tracking a 1 fall in oil prices as investors worried about supply ticking up later in the year amid signs of weakening U.S. demand.

Adding to the sector39;s losses, British oil giant BP fell 3.3 after ratings agency SP Global revised the company39;s credit outlook lower.

France39;s CAC 40 also lost 0.4, while London39;s FTSE 100 shed 0.6.

A riskoff mood also set in as market participants awaited the ECB39;s rate verdict on Thursday, where it is expected to ease borrowing costs by 25 basis points.

The recent uptick in the euro zone inflation data, however, has cast doubt on further monetary easing prospects this year.

We believe the ECB will revise their quarterly inflation projections higher, creating an awkward backdrop for the cut, said Gabriele Foà, portfolio manager at Algebris Investments

As things stand, we believe an ECB cut this week may soon be viewed as a policy mistake.

On the data front, the number of people out of work in Germany rose more than…