European stock markets are expected to open mixed on Wednesday as investors brace for a busy day of corporate earnings and key global economic signals. Futures data suggests muted moves across the region, with the U.K.’s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX hovering near flat levels, while France’s CAC 40 is tipped to dip slightly and Italy’s FTSE MIB is set to edge higher.
Earnings season is firmly in focus, led by Dutch semiconductor heavyweight ASML, which delivered a strong surprise. The chipmaking giant reported orders that comfortably beat market expectations and issued upbeat sales guidance for 2026, reinforcing confidence in continued demand driven by the global artificial intelligence boom.
Several other major European companies are also reporting results, including Volvo, Lonza Group and Dutch telecoms firm KPN. Meanwhile, luxury powerhouse LVMH posted better-than-expected earnings late Tuesday, marking a second consecutive quarter of organic revenue growth and offering a positive signal for the high-end consumer sector.
Attention is also turning to the United States, where tech giants Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Tesla are scheduled to release their quarterly earnings after the market close. Apple will follow on Thursday, making this week a critical one for investor sentiment across global equity markets.
Adding to the cautious mood, the U.S. Federal Reserve is set to announce its first interest rate decision of the year later Wednesday. While policymakers are widely expected to keep rates unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%, investors will be closely watching for clues on future policy direction. Current futures pricing points to two quarter-point rate cuts by the end of 2026, reflecting expectations of a gradual easing cycle ahead.
source: cnbc