European markets opened lower on Thursday as investors closely analyzed earnings reports from major companies including Airbus, Renault, and Nestle. The pan-European Stoxx 600 hovered just below the flatline, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 dipped 0.2% and Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 each fell around 0.3%. Market participants appeared cautious, reflecting a mix of strong and disappointing corporate results.
Airbus shares fell 5.4% in early trading after the European planemaker forecast 870 commercial aircraft deliveries for 2026, slightly below analyst expectations of around 880. The pressure on Airbus comes amid signs of recovery from its U.S. rival Boeing, highlighting the competitive challenges in the aerospace sector. Investors are closely watching how these projections may affect broader market sentiment.
French automaker Renault posted a revenue increase of 3% in 2025, reaching €57.9 billion ($68 billion), but reported a significant net loss of €10.9 billion. CEO François Provost attributed the decline to a “challenging market environment” and a one-off charge from its investment in Nissan. Despite the loss, Renault’s stock gained about 2% in early trading, signaling some investor optimism about long-term prospects.
Nestle reported a 2% decline in 2025 sales to 89.49 billion Swiss francs and a 17% drop in net profit to 9 billion Swiss francs. Organic growth for the year was 3.5%. The Swiss food giant also confirmed advanced talks to sell its ice cream business to Froneri, owner of Häagen-Dazs, following last month’s recall of baby formula linked to contaminants. Nestle shares rose nearly 3% in morning trading, reflecting investor confidence in the restructuring.
Global market sentiment remains mixed, with U.S. stock futures near flat following a strong session led by technology, financials, and energy stocks. Investors also parsed the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes, which revealed differing views on future monetary policy. Meanwhile, oil prices surged more than 4% after comments from U.S. Vice President JD Vance on unresolved Iran nuclear negotiations, adding another layer of uncertainty to global markets.
source: cnbc