European equities were mixed on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 slipping 0.1% while the broader STOXX 600 edged up 0.2%. Trading was driven largely by corporate earnings as investors awaited the European Central Bank’s monetary policy decision, with the ECB widely expected to keep interest rates on hold.
Spanish stocks lagged the region, dragged down chiefly by BBVA, which sank nearly 5% after reporting weaker profits in its domestic market. Banco Santander also declined, losing 1.3%. In the UK, Lloyds fell 3% after its latest results failed to meet investor expectations, while Volkswagen slipped 0.5% following a sharp operating loss in the third quarter.
Technology names were broadly lower, with ASML Holding down 1%, SAP off 1.1%, and Infineon easing 0.4%.
On the upside, Shell climbed 3.3% after almost doubling its earnings and profits. Adidas advanced 3.7%, buoyed by record profits and an upgraded full-year outlook. Renault gained 2.3% after reaffirming its full-year guidance despite a 6% drop in third-quarter car sales.
