European markets showed a mixed trend on Wednesday as investors reacted to a wave of corporate earnings reports and macroeconomic data across the region.
In Germany, preliminary data from Destatis showed that Q2 GDP contracted by 0.1%, matching forecasts and reversing the 0.3% growth seen in Q1 after revisions. However, German retail sales in June surprised to the upside, rising 1.0% month-over-month, a turnaround from May’s revised 0.6% decline.
France posted Q2 GDP growth of 0.3% compared to the previous quarter, thanks in part to a rebound in household spending, according to INSEE.
On the index level, the FTSE 100 in the U.K. was down 0.3%, while Germany’s DAX inched up 0.1% and France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.4%.
Casino Group (EU:CO) soared 36% in Paris after reiterating its goal to return to break-even free cash flow before financial expenses by 2026, as part of its “Renouveau 2028” strategy.
On the downside, luxury goods giant Hermès International (EU:RMS) slid 3.2% following a dip in first-half profit. Payments firm Worldline (EU:WLN) lost 5.7% after widening its first-half net loss.
Food and beverage giant Danone (EU:BN) surged 7% as its Q2 comparable sales exceeded analyst expectations.
Adidas (TG:ADS) dropped over 6% after warning that U.S. tariffs could inflict a double-digit million euro loss in Q2.
Automakers Mercedes-Benz (TG:MBG) and Porsche (TG:P911) traded lower after both companies downgraded their profit forecasts.
Despite reporting a mixed performance across its business units, BASF (TG:BAS) advanced 1%.
Medical tech firm Siemens Healthineers (TG:SHL) rose 1.3% after posting stronger-than-expected revenue in Q3.
In Spain, Banco Santander (LSE:BNC) declined nearly 3% after revealing an unexpected charge related to its Brazilian unit during the second quarter.
UBS (BIT:W3XAU4) added 1.1% after the Swiss bank beat Q2 profit estimates.
Among U.K. stocks, Taylor Wimpey (LSE:TW.) slumped 5% after issuing a profit warning for FY2. BAE Systems (LSE:BA.) fell nearly 2%, even though it upgraded its full-year guidance.
GSK (LSE:GSK) gained 1% after beating Q2 estimates and projecting full-year sales and profits near the top of its forecast range.
Finally, HSBC (LSE:HSBA) slipped 2.6% after reporting a 26% decline in first-half pretax earnings.
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