European Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision

2026-07-29 09:55 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

The STOXX 50 fell 0.5% on Wednesday, while the broader STOXX 600 edged 0.1% lower, as investors assessed a fresh batch of corporate earnings ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day, while renewed Middle East tensions weighed on sentiment.

Among notable movers, Hermes tumbled more than 12% despite reporting an acceleration in sales, with investors citing the lack of a convincing recovery in the key Chinese market.

CaixaBank dropped over 6%, dragging other Spanish lenders lower after leaving its full-year guidance unchanged alongside its Q2 results.

ASM International lost 5% despite issuing an upbeat outlook, as concerns over global AI spending persisted, while Aberdeen fell 5% after reporting larger-than-expected first-half fund outflows.

Elsewhere, Kering surged 12% after stronger-than-expected Gucci sales, Sopra Steria jumped 13% on raised guidance, Glencore gained 3% on higher copper output, and UBS and Deutsche Bank advanced following solid earnings.



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European Stocks Edge Lower
The Euro STOXX 50 closed 0.5% lower on Wednesday and STOXX Europe fell 0.2%, pressured by a surge in energy prices from reignited strikes in the Middle East and mixed corporate earnings. Among notable movers, Hermes tumbled 11% despite reporting an acceleration in sales, with investors citing the lack of a convincing recovery in the key Chinese market. CaixaBank dropped 7%, dragging other Spanish lenders lower after leaving its full-year guidance unchanged alongside its Q2 results. ASM International lost 5% despite issuing an upbeat outlook, as concerns over global AI spending persisted, while Aberdeen fell 5% after reporting larger-than-expected first-half fund outflows. Elsewhere, Kering surged 12% after stronger-than-expected Gucci sales, Sopra Steria jumped 13% on raised guidance, Glencore gained 3% on higher copper output. Among major banks, Deutsche Bank and UBS both gained after posting their results, aligned with other lenders that reported earlier.
2026-07-29
European Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision
The STOXX 50 fell 0.5% on Wednesday, while the broader STOXX 600 edged 0.1% lower, as investors assessed a fresh batch of corporate earnings ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day, while renewed Middle East tensions weighed on sentiment. Among notable movers, Hermes tumbled more than 12% despite reporting an acceleration in sales, with investors citing the lack of a convincing recovery in the key Chinese market. CaixaBank dropped over 6%, dragging other Spanish lenders lower after leaving its full-year guidance unchanged alongside its Q2 results. ASM International lost 5% despite issuing an upbeat outlook, as concerns over global AI spending persisted, while Aberdeen fell 5% after reporting larger-than-expected first-half fund outflows. Elsewhere, Kering surged 12% after stronger-than-expected Gucci sales, Sopra Steria jumped 13% on raised guidance, Glencore gained 3% on higher copper output, and UBS and Deutsche Bank advanced following solid earnings.
2026-07-29
European Stocks Cautious
European stocks traded cautiously on Wednesday, with the STOXX 50 fluctuating around the flatline and the STOXX 600 edging 0.1% higher, as investors continued to assess a fresh batch of corporate earnings while as ?a rout in chip stocks deepened and oil prices increased, following another setback in the Middle East. LVMH extended Tuesday's gains, rising 3.2% after reporting broadly in-line sales growth. Eni surged nearly 4% after raising its 2026 production forecast. Deutsche Bank advanced 4.3% after posting a 10% increase in profit, defying expectations for a decline, while Porsche gained 1.2% after reporting a 34% rise in first-half operating profit. On the downside, ASML Holding fell 2.5%, Hermes was down 2.8% as its results failed to impress investors. Danone lost 3% after second-quarter sales growth was driven by higher prices rather than stronger volumes. Investors also awaited earnings from L'Oréal (-0.9%), Airbus (-0.6%), and Intesa Sanpaolo (+0.6%) later in the day.
2026-07-29