UPDATE 2-European shares fall on fears of second coronavirus wave

(For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon
news window)
* BlackRock injects $18 bln into European firms during
pandemic
* Sensirion jumps on COVID-19 demand spike for ventilator
sensors
* Travel and leisure, basic materials among biggest
decliners

(Adds comments, updates prices to close)
By Shreyashi Sanyal
June 15 (Reuters) - European shares closed lower on Monday
on concerns of a second wave of coronavirus infections after
Beijing reported a record number of new cases.
The pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX fell 0.3%, slipping
further from its 5.7% fall last week but losses moderated
towards the close, with analysts pointing to investors booking
some profits after a recent rally.
"The sharp decline in equities on Monday would suggest that
investors are fearful of similar outbreaks around the world as
countries start to ease lockdown restrictions," said Russ Mould,
investment director at AJ Bell.
Major European indexes had touched three-month highs earlier
in the month after monetary support from the European Central
Bank and optimism over the gradual reopening of economies from
coronavirus-led lockdown.
Global stock markets also began the week on downbeat note as
the outbreak in Beijing, which has been traced to a wholesale
food market, revived fears of the economic damage from the
health crisis. MKTS/GLOB
"It has served as a reminder that the optimism driving
markets in recent weeks can very quickly dissipate if hopes for
a V-shaped recovery are overridden by fears of a second
lockdown," said Marco Stoeckle, head of corporate credit
research at Commerzbank.
Reuters reported BlackRock BLK.N has pumped about 16
billion euros ($18 billion) into 810 European companies since
the end of January, more than half of them in distress due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Miners .SXPP as well as travel and leisure stocks .SXTP
were among the worst performers of the day.
BP BP.L fell 2.2% as it said it would incur an up to $17.5
billion writedown in the value of its assets after lowering its
long-term oil and gas price outlook in expectation of an
accelerated transition away from fossil fuels.
Swiss sensor maker Sensirion SENSI.S jumped 22.7% after
lifting its 2020 outlook as sales of gas sensors for medical
ventilators needed to treat COVID-19 patients surged.
H&M HMb.ST reported a sharp but slightly
smaller-than-expected drop in second-quarter sales as measures
to slow the COVID-19 pandemic hit retailers. Shares of the
world's second-biggest fashion retailer edged 0.4% higher.
Meanwhile, European countries eased some border controls on
Monday after coronavirus lockdowns, although Spain kept its
borders shut.