European equity markets were set to open lower on Thursday, weighed down by renewed selling in technology and artificial intelligence stocks amid persistent doubts over the sustainability of large-scale AI investments. Sentiment was further undermined by rising oil prices after a deadly attack on a Saudi oil field, which heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and reinforced inflation concerns.
Across the region, investors are also tracking Eurozone new car registration figures, French business confidence indicators, and the latest policy decision from Turkey’s central bank. On the corporate front, Nestlé and Roche both reported solid third-quarter sales growth, while SAP delivered stronger-than-expected expansion in its cloud business. In premarket action, Euro Stoxx 50 futures were down 1%, and Stoxx 600 futures slipped 0.6%.
