FX.co ★ European Stocks Pause Ahead of US Inflation Data

European equities were little changed on Friday as investors turned cautious ahead of key US inflation data that could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next policy decisions. The EURO STOXX 50 edged down 0.1% to around 6,010 points, while the broader STOXX Europe 600 was broadly flat at about 618 points. Technology stocks came under renewed selling pressure amid mounting doubts over the long-term viability of heavy capital outlays in artificial intelligence. Heightened concern about AI-driven disruption also dragged on related sectors, including logistics, commercial real estate, and financial services, as investors reassessed potential structural shifts across these industries. On the corporate side, L'Oréal fell more than 6% after its Q4 sales growth missed market expectations, while Delivery Hero sank 8.7% following mixed performance in its Middle East operations. By contrast, Safran jumped 7% after the aerospace group lifted its revenue and earnings targets for 2026.