** European semiconductor stocks fall sharply, led by Germany's Infineon IFXGn.DE and Aixtron AIXGn.DE that fall around 6% each, as rising oil prices and interest rates trigger a broad sell-off across the sector

** Dutch chip-making equipment supplier ASML ASML.AS is down around 4%

** Daniel von Ahlen, senior macro strategist at GlobalData TS Lombard, says the sell-off reflects investors temporarily reducing positions due to rising oil prices and interest rates, rather than any change in the sector's underlying outlook

** "I don't think the structural theme is in jeopardy at all," he adds

** STMicroelectronics STMPA.PA, ASM International ASMI.AS, Siltronic WAFGn.DE, BE Semiconductor BESI.AS, X-Fab XFAB.PA and Melexis MLXS.BR decline between 2% and 4.5%

** STOXX Europe Technology Index .SX8P falls 2.5%, among the worst performers on the broader STOXX 600 .STOXX, which is down 1%