BLOOMBERG
European stocks gained, erasing an earlier decline, as Anglo American Plc helped lift the gauge while investors digested a slew of earnings reports.
The Stoxx 600 Index gained 0.3% by on Thursday, with the basic resources sector leading gains, while tech stocks missed after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co cut its outlook. Anglo American gained after the precious metals miner’s production for the second quarter beat the average analyst estimate. Other miners, such as Glencore Plc and Rio Tinto Plc also rose.
ASML Holding NV led the selloff in European tech stocks after TSMC warning showed investors that the global electronics slump may persist for some time despite a boom in AI development. Among other stocks, Electrolux AB slumped after the Swedish home appliance maker said it plans to offload various non-core brands worth about $1 billion as losses continue to mount.
EasyJet Plc shares slipped as investors turned their attention to the remainder of the year after the low-cost airline’s third-quarter results beat estimates. For the time being, European equities are trading sideways before central bank meetings next week increase volatility again, said Ulrich Urbahn, head of multi-asset strategy and research at Berenberg. Markets are digesting mixed earnings, Urbahn added. “The focus will be on the reporting season this week and the central banks next week,†he said.
The latest pledges from China to rebuild a shattered private sector fell flat with investors, who said more concrete steps would be needed to boost sentiment.