European equities advanced on Wednesday, buoyed by a mix of upbeat corporate earnings and investor anticipation ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later in the day, where a quarter-point cut is already seen as a done deal.
London’s FTSE 100 led regional gains, rising 0.9%, while Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 each added around 0.1%, reflecting a generally positive but cautious tone across major markets.
Swiss technology firm Logitech International (BIT:1LOGN) was among the day’s standout performers after reporting stronger fiscal second-quarter 2026 results that topped analyst forecasts.
Shares of ASM International (EU:ASM), the Dutch manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment, also traded higher despite third-quarter bookings coming in below expectations, suggesting resilience amid sectoral headwinds.
Mercedes-Benz (TG:MBG) climbed sharply after reaffirming its full-year outlook and unveiling a €2 billion ($2.3 billion) share repurchase program. The automaker’s third-quarter earnings comfortably exceeded projections, underscoring robust demand for its premium vehicles.
Deutsche Bank (TG:DBK) gained ground as well, following an unexpected 7% rise in quarterly profit — a surprise beat that countered expectations of a decline and highlighted solid performance in its core businesses.
Chemical giant BASF (TG:BAS) added to the upbeat tone, advancing after reporting adjusted operating earnings that slightly surpassed market forecasts.
In contrast, Swedish bearings producer SKF (BIT:1SKFB) moved lower as its third-quarter sales and adjusted operating profit largely met analyst expectations, offering little to excite investors.
Overall, the regional mood remained cautiously optimistic, with traders balancing strong European earnings updates against the prospect of fresh monetary policy guidance from the Fed later today.
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