European Stocks Edge Higher as Earnings Flow In; Investors Eye Inflation & Jobs Data
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Market Overview
European Equities Gain on Corporate Results
European stock markets opened modestly higher on Thursday, buoyed by a strong wave of Q2 earnings. The broad-based STOXX 600 index rose 0.3%, contributing to a 1.6% gain for the monthInvesting.com+4Investing.com+4Investing.com+4Investing.com+6Reuters+6Investing.com Canada+6. Germany’s DAX moved up ~0.2%, the U.K.’s FTSE‑100 added around 0.2%, while France’s CAC 40 traded close to flat earlier in the session Investing.com.
Trade Tensions Resurface with New U.S. Tariffs
Despite initial optimism from a new U.S.–EU trade agreement, fresh tariff announcements by U.S. President Trump have tempered sentiment. A 15% tariff on EU goods—including copper and key exports—has replaced the former 2.5% rate, and exemptions for small-value overseas shipments were removed by the August 1 deadlineReuters+4Reuters+4Reuters+4.
Sector Highlights & Corporate Earnings Snapshot
Banks: European banking stocks rose roughly 1%. Société Générale jumped ~7% after raising its full-year profit guidance. Standard Chartered also posted strong half-year pre-tax earnings, whereas BBVA saw a decline in net profit Reuters+1Investing.com Canada+1.
Energy: Shell shares climbed ~2.9% after beating profit expectations and sustaining a ~$3.5 billion buyback program. BP posted modest gains. In contrast, Anheuser‑Busch InBev fell ~10.2%, weighed down by volume declines in China and Brazil Reuters+5Reuters+5Investing.com+5.
U.S. Markets & Broader Global Developments
Strong earnings from Microsoft and Meta have boosted Nasdaq futures, while upcoming reports from Apple and Amazonare expected to sustain interest Investing.com+8Reuters+8Reuters+8. Meanwhile, broad trade uncertainty and imminent tariff implementations have created a cautious backdrop across equities globally Reuters.
🧾 Summary Table
| Theme | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|
| Index Movement | STOXX 600 up ~0.3%; monthly gain ~1.6% |
| Trade Headwinds | Fresh 15% U.S. tariffs on EU goods weigh on sentiment |
| Banking Performance | Société Générale +7%; mixed results from Standard Chartered and BBVA |
| Energy Sector | Shell strong; BP modest; AB InBev down sharply on weak volume in key markets |
| U.S. Market Signals | Tech earnings lifting sentiment ahead of further big reports |
🔍 Looking Forward
Economic data focus: Key macro updates due for eurozone inflation, U.K. jobs, and U.S. CPI and jobs figures later this week. These results will heavily influence expectations for central bank actionsInvesting.com+5Reuters+5Investing.com Canada+5Investing.com Canada+3Reuters+3Reuters+3Investing.com Canada+1Reuters+1Investing.com.
Trade developments: Additional U.S. tariffs tied to President Trump’s self-imposed August 1 deadline suggest ongoing uncertainty around global trade relations Investing.com Canada+2Reuters+2Reuters+2.
Earnings Watch: Corporate earnings momentum is strong but could face headwinds if global growth stalls or trade tensions escalate further.