PARIS: European shares ended flat on Wednesday amid mixed earnings reports, as a slump in shares of French payment firm Worldline on a forecast cut was offset by a boost from Dassault Systems and Deutsche Bank’s upbeat results.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index reversed early declines to end flat, with miners leading gains, up 0.9%.
Rate-sensitive real estate stocks led sectoral declines, down 1.9%.
Dragging the benchmark index, Worldline slumped to a record low, down 59.2% after the French payment company cut its annual targets, citing economic slowdown had hit its business.
On the upside, French software maker Dassault Systemes climbed 8% after raising its full-year profit target, while Deutsche Bank climbed 8.2% as the lender promised more share buybacks next year and beat third-quarter revenue estimates.
French luxury group Kering fell 3.5% to its lowest since early 2020 as the company posted a bigger-than-expected drop in third-quarter sales on slowing demand for high-end clothes and accessories.
The dismal results also dragged rivals LVMH, Richemont and Pernod Ricard down between 0.1% and 0.9%.
Europe has seen a mixed start to the earnings season, with 54% of the 50 STOXX 600 companies that have reported profits so far beating estimates, according to LSEG data. Analysts expect third-quarter earnings to drop 9.7% from a year earlier.
Recent evidence of slowing business activity in the euro zone and a spike in energy prices due to tensions in the Middle East compounded worries about a hit to corporate profits.
“Sentiment in Europe is very weak at the moment. There is firm evidence that the transmission of monetary policy is feeding through to the economy,” said Shaan Raithatha, senior economist at Vanguard Europe.
Investors now await the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision due on Thursday, with money markets nearly pricing in a pause in rate hikes.
“Since the September meeting, data has indicated a sluggish economy at best. Several indicators have also shown that inflation is moderating, with a few ECB policymakers noting the progress made in the fight against inflation,” said Joost van Leenders, senior investment strategist at Van Lanschot Kempen.
“Hence, a rate hike this week seems unlikely.” Among other stocks, Dettol maker Reckitt’s shares fell 4.0% as the company’s third-quarter like-for-like sales missed expectations. ASM International rose 5.9% after the semiconductor firm beat its third-quarter revenue guidance.
Meanwhile, data showed German business morale improved more than expected in October.
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