European stocks open mixed as more earnings reports

European markets were mixed at the start of trading on Wednesday, as investors await more earnings results from a number of major companies.

Handelsbank, TotalEnergies, Akzo Nobel, Credit Agricole, Novo Nordisk, GSK, Vestas Wind and Banco Santander are among the companies expected to report earnings. In terms of data, the latest PMI data from the eurozone will be confirmed on Wednesday.

According to CNBC, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.09%, with most sectors trading in negative territory.

While the UK’s FTSE 100 index rose 0.03% to 8,573.69 points.

Germany’s DAX index fell 0.43% to 21,413.17 points.

Meanwhile, France’s CAC 40 index fell 0.25% to 7,886.68 points.

Regional markets were mostly flat on Tuesday as investors continued to monitor developments in US trade policy under President Donald Trump, after the Chinese government announced tariffs on US imports in retaliation for Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods.

In Asia-Pacific markets, markets were mixed overnight, with eyes on China after it resumed trading following the Lunar New Year holiday. In the US, S&P 500 futures fell Tuesday night after Google parent Alphabet reported disappointing earnings, following a positive session for major markets.