The company logo before the unveiling of the ASML US Technical Training Academy on November 20, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Rebecca Noble | Reuters
LONDON – European stock markets closed in negative territory on Wednesday as regional investors closely watched major earnings reports.
pan-european Stocks 600 At the closing bell, it was down 0.7%, with all major exchanges in the red and regional sectors mixed.
Dutch semiconductor giant ASML reported higher-than-expected orders and also beat expectations for 2026 sales.
The company’s shares soared 5.9% in early trading, lifting European peers, before falling back into negative territory and ending 1.9% lower. chip equipment manufacturers ASMI Ended 1.2% lower. ST Micro rose 1.9%; infineon Added 3%.
European luxury goods conglomerate LVMH ended the day down 7.9% after the bell on Tuesday, reporting better-than-expected earnings and second-quarter organic revenue growth.
Investors will also be keeping an eye on U.S. earnings on Wednesday, when Microsoft, Metaplatforms and Tesla are scheduled to report quarterly results after the closing bell. Apple is expected to announce the results on Thursday.
All eyes will be on Wednesday on the US Federal Reserve’s first interest rate decision of the year. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold in its target range of 3.5% to 3.75%, but traders will be looking for hints about any longer-term changes to monetary policy.
Federal funds futures trading suggests two quarterly percentage point rate cuts by the end of 2026, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday morning, with the S&P 500 index down almost 0.1% on Wednesday morning.
— CNBC’s Pia Singh contributed to this market report.
