FX.co ★ European Stocks Mostly Higher, Earnings Eyed

On Wednesday, the STOXX 50 index edged up by 0.4%, while the broader STOXX 600 remained relatively stable as investors considered the latest corporate earnings amidst ongoing geopolitical developments. Leading the upward movement, technology stocks surged, with ASML experiencing a 6% increase following the release of robust results, highlighted by record sales and orders exceeding expectations. STMicroelectronics also saw a jump, rising 4.4%, and Infineon advanced by 5.2%. Volvo's shares similarly increased by over 2% as its operating profit fell less than analysts had anticipated. In contrast, LVMH dropped 7% due to mixed fourth-quarter results for 2025 coupled with a cautious outlook, exerting downward pressure on the luxury sector. Consequently, Kering's shares decreased by over 5%, while Hermès and Brunello Cucinelli saw declines of 1.8% and 1.6%, respectively.