European Stocks Drop on Poor ASML Results, Middle East Tensions

European Stocks Drop on Poor ASML Results, Middle East Tensions

European stocks edged lower on Wednesday, weighed down by disappointing results from ASML Holding NV and Swiss industrial conglomerate ABB Ltd., and as traders assessed escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Author of the article:

Bloomberg News

Sagarika Jaisinghani and Macarena Muñoz

Published Oct 18, 2023  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  3 minute read

01en1(1{gjnpottje2ienma(_media_dl_1.png Bloomberg RSS

(Bloomberg) — European stocks edged lower on Wednesday, weighed down by disappointing results from ASML Holding NV and Swiss industrial conglomerate ABB Ltd., and as traders assessed escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Stoxx Europe 600 fell 0.1% by 9:45 a.m. in London. Chip equipment firm ASML Holding NV dropped as much as 5% after its order intake plunged in the third quarter amid a slump in the semiconductor industry. ABB declined the most in two years after posting worse-than-expected earnings and flagging slowing orders in Europe and China. The drop also weighed on the broader industrial goods sector.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by Kevin Carmichael, Victoria Wells, Jake Edmiston, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by Kevin Carmichael, Victoria Wells, Jake Edmiston, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Article content

Article content

Real estate also declined, while consumer products outperformed as Adidas AG jumped after it boosted its guidance for a second time in three months after selling another batch of Yeezy sneakers from its canceled partnership. In the UK, the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index slipped as data showed inflation failed to slow as forecast in September, leaving open the possibility of a further interest rate hike from the Bank of England.

“The picture from the data is unfortunately a simple one — as food and goods prices begin to fall, energy prices are rising again,” said George Lagarias, chief economist at Mazars. “The swiftly rising tensions in the Middle East are exacerbating the situation. A quick end to oil price speculation could, all other things being equal, stop the third inflation wave at the onset and allow prices to normalize,” he wrote in emailed comments.

Europe’s stock benchmark has been treading water this month with sentiment souring following Hamas’s attack on Israel. A planned summit between President Joe Biden, who arrived in Israel Wednesday, and Arab leaders was canceled following an attack on a hospital in Gaza. Market positioning has turned more cautious and investors have rotated into defensive sectors and value stocks.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Read More: Wall Street Hedging Appetite Muted Even as Mideast Crisis Grows

“Uncertainty will last for several weeks at least, and risk premia (on energy prices and on corporate valuations) could even creep higher for a while,” said Roberto Scholtes, head of strategy at Singular Bank. “Investors should definitely get ready for it, seeking diversification and hedges in assets such as short-term government bonds, gold, oil and the energy sector, while the dollar should remain strong for the time being.”

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. strategist Cecilia Mariotti also said a prolonged period of geopolitical risk, coupled with sticky inflation, could revive worries about economic growth, making any year-end rally in stocks “smaller and short-lived.”

SECTORS IN FOCUS:

Oil stocks after crude rallied following a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital that boosted tensions in the Middle East before President Joe Biden’s arrival in the region.Advertising stocks after US peer Omnicom fell in late trading after the advertising and marketing company’s organic revenue growth missed estimates for the third quarter, offsetting stronger-than-expected adjusted earnings per share.Sectors exposed to China, such as luxury and miners, as China’s economy found a foothold in the third quarter as the government increased support and consumer spending picked up, while the property market remained a drag.Carriers that suspended flights to Tel Aviv due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas as US peer United Airlines is projecting a fourth-quarter profit that falls short of analysts’ estimates.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

For more on equity markets:

Some Market Indicators Are Remarkably Risk-On: Taking StockM&A Watch Europe: Nexi, Intervest, Continental, PendragonCVC Capital Eyes IPO in Rough Market for Buyout Firms: ECM WatchUS Stock Futures Fall; Ultragenyx, United Airlines, Terex FallApax to Buy Tech Consulting Firm Kin and Carta: The London Rush

You want more news on this market? Click here for a curated First Word channel of actionable news from Bloomberg and select sources. It can be customized to your preferences by clicking into Actions on the toolbar or hitting the HELP key for assistance. To subscribe to a daily list of European analyst rating changes, click here.

—With assistance from Michael Msika.

Article content

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Financial Post – https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/european-stocks-drop-on-poor-asml-results-middle-east-tensions

Exit mobile version