European equity markets traded with limited direction on Wednesday as progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations remained elusive, while President Donald Trump moved to extend the ceasefire unilaterally amid continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
On the macro front, data showed U.K. inflation picked up in March, reaching its highest level in three months, largely due to rising transport costs, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.
The consumer price index rose 3.3% year-on-year in March, accelerating from 3.0% in February and matching market expectations.
On a monthly basis, prices increased by 0.7%, up from 0.4% the previous month and slightly above the expected 0.6% rise.
In early trading, France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.2%, while both the U.K.’s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1%.
Among individual stocks, TUI AG (TG:TUI1) dropped nearly 3% after the travel operator lowered its full-year underlying profit outlook and withdrew revenue guidance, citing heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
Deutsche Telekom (TG:DTE) fell more than 3% following reports that the company is exploring a full merger with its U.S. subsidiary, T-Mobile US Inc.
Swedish appliance manufacturer Electrolux declined close to 2% after announcing plans to cease production in Hungary by the end of the year.
In France, Ipsen (EU:IPN) gained 1.4% after securing conditional EU approval for Ojemda, marking the first targeted therapy for recurrent or refractory pediatric low-grade glioma.
Sanofi (EU:SAN) slipped around 1% after the U.S. FDA extended its review of the subcutaneous version of Sarclisa by up to three months.
Danone (EU:BN) advanced 3.4% as first-quarter sales came in ahead of expectations.
Reckitt Benckiser (LSE:RKT) fell 5.2% after reporting a year-on-year decline in group net revenue for the first quarter of 2026.
Akzo Nobel (EU:AKZA) surged 5% after posting stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
ABB Ltd (TG:ABB) rose 3.5% after upgrading its sales outlook for 2026.
Bunzl plc (LSE:BNZL) added 3% after reaffirming its 2026 guidance and reporting first-quarter trading in line with expectations.
Tesco plc (LSE:TSCO) climbed about 1% after unveiling a new phase of its ongoing share buyback programme.
Leave a Reply