European equity markets moved mostly higher on Wednesday, recovering from three days of losses, as investors reacted positively to signs of progress on international trade deals. Market sentiment improved following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of agreements with Japan and the Philippines.
Expectations also grew for potential trade discussions between the European Union and the U.S., with Trump confirming that EU representatives were due in Washington.
“We have Europe coming in tomorrow, and the next day, we have some other ones coming in,” Trump said on Tuesday evening, without providing further details.
The French CAC 40 Index rose by 1.2%, the German DAX Index climbed 0.7%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index advanced 0.5%.
In corporate developments:
- Koninklijke KPN NV (EU:KPN) shares fell nearly 2% after releasing its Q2 and H1 2025 financial results.
- Randstad NV (EU:RAND) dropped 1.8% despite reporting second-quarter core profit in line with expectations.
- ASM International (EU:ASM) sank 8.5% as second-quarter bookings came in below analyst forecasts.
- Lonza Group AG (TG:LO3) surged 5% following a 23% increase in half-year core profit, topping market estimates.
- Roche Holding AG (EU:RBO) gained 1.4% after the company paused some shipments of its gene therapy Elevidys, which has sparked regulatory concerns.
- Stora Enso Oyj shares jumped almost 6% as the Finnish forestry company reported stronger-than-expected operating earnings in Q2, despite market volatility.
- Alstom (EU:ALO) rallied 4% after exceeding sales expectations in its fiscal first quarter.
- Thales (EU:HO) declined 2% after revealing that its H1 2025 order intake fell 4%, both on a reported and organic basis.
- Renault Group (EU:RNO) rose 3.7% on news that vehicle sales increased by 1.3% in the first half of the year.
- Informa (LSE:INF) jumped 5.7% after lifting its full-year revenue forecast. The company organizes global events and publishes academic materials.
- SAP (TG:SAP) fell 3%, even after reporting stronger sales and earnings for the quarter. The software giant reaffirmed its full-year targets, which some investors may have found underwhelming.
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