The main European stock markets were in the green at the start of trading on Tuesday, but their progress was held back by concerns over the economic situation in China and the US debt ceiling issue.

In Paris, the CAC 40 nibbled 0.04% to 7,420.84 points at 07:57 GMT. In London, the FTSE 100 gained 0.21% and in Frankfurt, the Dax also advanced by 0.21%.

The EuroStoxx 50 index is up 0.19%, the FTSEurofirst 300 is down 0.06% and the Stoxx 600 is up 0.02%.

In China, the main stock market indices lost more than 0.5% as industrial production and retail sales accelerated in April at a slower-than-expected pace, according to official data, suggesting that the economy lost momentum at the start of the second quarter.

Another factor keeping investors cautious is the question mark over the ability of US President Joe Biden and Republican congressional leaders to find common ground on raising the US debt ceiling.

A meeting at the highest level is scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the White House to try to avoid a possible default on June 1.

Several statistics are expected later today. In the US, retail sales and industrial production for April will be followed, while in Europe, the German ZEW index of investor sentiment will be the main focus of attention.

On the stock market, Bouygues lost 2.49%, lantern of the SBF 120, after the publication of its quarterly results. In a note, JPMorgan's analysts highlighted light key performance indicators for the telecom subsidiary, with 27,000 new customers for the mobile fixed-line customer base excluding MtoM, and 46,000 for the total fixed-line customer base.

Faurecia gained 4.64%, with Goldman Sachs upgrading the automotive supplier to "buy".

Elsewhere in Europe, Philips gained 2.71% after announcing that independent tests had shown that 95% of respirators affected by a worldwide recall presented limited health risks.

Vodafone lost 2.54% after announcing 11,000 job cuts over three years and disappointing financial forecasts for the year.

In Milan, Telecom Italia dropped 3.47% after press reports that the CDP-Macquarie duo were considering abandoning their bid for the operator's fixed-line network. (Laetitia Volga, edited by Blandine Hénault)