Frank Walbaum
European equities slipped modestly on Wednesday, with the DAX trading lower but holding above the key 24,200 support level. Sentiment remained fragile amid soft corporate earnings and growing geopolitical uncertainty.
L’Oréal tumbled nearly 6.5% after missing revenue expectations for the quarter, despite signaling improved prospects in China. Adidas also retreated, falling over 2% as investors reacted to a price target cut, overshadowing strong quarterly results and an upbeat outlook. On the upside, Barclays surged after unveiling a surprise GBP 500 million buyback and raising its full-year performance target.
Beyond earnings, concerns lingered over the global diplomatic backdrop. Hopes for a Ukraine peace deal faded after the White House confirmed that a planned summit between President Trump and Vladimir Putin had been postponed. Meanwhile, the prospect of a Trump-Xi meeting also remains uncertain, clouding the outlook for broader negotiations and weighing on risk appetite.
Looking ahead, attention turns to ECB President Christine Lagarde’s speech. Any dovish signals could offer temporary support to equities. Preliminary eurozone PMI data, due Friday, will also be closely watched for fresh clues on the region’s growth trajectory.
Walbaum is Market Analyst at Naga
