The major European bourses recovered somewhat during the afternoon, supported by lower oil prices amid hopes of diplomatic progress in the Middle East.
The broad European Stoxx 600 index was down 0,27 percent at 647,69 at 16.02. During the day, the index traded within a range of -0,83 percent at the low and 0,25 percent at the high.
By sector, healthcare recorded the best performance, up 0,60 percent, while insurance posted the second-best performance, up 0,29 percent.
Basic resources recorded the weakest performance, down 1,60 percent, while media posted the second-weakest performance, down 1,19 percent.
Danish medical technology company Coloplast reported a lower-than-expected adjusted operating profit in the fourth quarter of the broken fiscal year 2025/2026. Revenue rose 7 percent to 7 459 million Danish kroner, in line with expectations. Organic growth was 5 percent. For the new fiscal year, organic growth of 5–7 percent and an adjusted operating margin of around 25 percent are forecast. The share fell marginally by 0,1 percent.
Danish Chemometec raises its forecasts for fiscal year 2026/2027 following stronger-than-expected demand for the company’s instruments, particularly NC-203, as well as lower costs. Revenue is now expected to amount to 570–605 million Danish kroner and EBITDA to 335–360 million Danish kroner. The share rose 4,8 percent.
British food and retail group Associated British Foods reports lower earnings for fiscal year 2025/2026. Adjusted operating profit decreased 13 percent to 1 508 million pounds. Clothing chain Primark increased sales but posted weaker profitability. The share fell 3,1 percent.
Norwegian fish farming company Salmar’s adjusted operating profit rose to 1 609 million Norwegian kroner from 711 million, compared with the expected 1 528 million. The adjusted operating margin improved to 18,6 percent from 9,1 percent. The share rose 1,7 percent.
Automotive supplier and industrial company Schaeffler is launching a new cost-saving programme that will eliminate 3 460 positions in Europe, of which around 2 660 are in Germany. The share fell 1,3 percent.
On the analyst front, UBS downgraded sportswear company Adidas to Sell from Neutral. The share fell 1,7 percent.
IndexLastToday, %This year, %TimeStoxx 600648,68-0,12%9,54%16:00:00FTSE 10010 685,50-0,70%7,59%15:59:57DAX25 946,82-0,13%5,95%15:59:58CAC 408 059,530,15%-1,13%16:00:00Stoxx 600 sector performance:Automobiles & parts432,160,33%-17,68%16:00:00Banks381,760,10%7,45%15:59:45Basic resources744,29-1,30%11,73%16:00:00Chemicals1 361,90-0,38%22,97%16:00:00Construction & materials819,770,20%-3,33%16:00:00Oil & gas573,14-1,00%41,65%16:00:00Financial services973,74-0,16%8,29%16:00:00Food694,77-0,52%11,58%16:00:00Industrial goods1144,410,21%7,12%16:00:00Insurance561,650,36%10,04%16:00:00Media401,04-1,09%0,54%16:00:00Healthcare1 252,390,66%9,66%16:00:00Technology1 015,34-0,96%21,37%16:00:00Telecommunications276,36-0,07%8,03%16:00:00Utilities557,68-0,36%13,87%16:00:00Consumer goods990,51-0,26%-7,72%16:00:00Retail505,10-0,95%3,87%16:00:00Travel & leisure289,460,25%3,19%16:00:00Real estate122,46-0,15%-3,06%16:00:00Source: Factset
