European markets close lower as earnings season continues, Philips soars 14%

30 July 2024

The Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed 0.18% lower, with most sectors and major bourses across the region trading in the red. Autos fell 1.35% to lead losses, while healthcare stocks rose 0.66%.

Philips shares jumped as much as 15% at one point on Monday after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Meantime, Heineken shares fell over 9%, after the brewing giant’s first-half profit growth came in weaker than analysts had expected.

Investors are also looking ahead to the latest policy meetings from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England for an indication on the path for interest rates.

Asia-Pacific markets climbed on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 leading gains in the region as the U.S. inflation print raised hopes for a rate cut.

Meanwhile in the U.S., the S&P 500 was last seen higher on Monday ahead of a continued slew of corporate earnings stateside, with Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Apple and Amazon among those set to report this week.