Europe midday: Stoxx up, but Reckitt, Entain, Heineken weigh

29th Jul 2024 11:52

(Sharecast News) - European shares were higher at midday on Monday ahead of earnings from US tech giants later in the week and a policy decision from the US Federal Reserve, while shares in consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser plunged amid concerns about potential litigation.

The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.38% to 514.78. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta are all scheduled to report along with McDonald's, Boeing, PayPal, Chevron and Exxon Mobil.

Inflation data from the eurozone is also due out this week, while Fed policymakers in Washington will make a decision on interest rates and are expected to give some guidance on the timing of a cut.

"While no change is expected at the Federal Reserve meeting this week, the odds are now strongly in favour of a cut in September, with more recent economic data including Friday's personal consumption expenditures (PCE) adding to investors' conviction that one or even two more could follow before the end of the year," said Interactive Investor head of markets Richard Hunter.

"The PCE rose 0.1% month on month, annualising to 2.5%, both in line with estimates. The non-farms payroll figure on Friday will be the next set of important data, with 185000 jobs expected to have been added in July, compared to 206000 the previous month."

In equity news, shares in Reckitt Benckiser slumped as almost 1,000 lawsuits were filed against Abbott Laboratories and the Enfamil formula maker.

A jury on Friday found that Abbott's specialized formula for premature infants caused an Illinois girl to develop a dangerous bowel disease, ordering the healthcare company to pay $495m in damages.

Entain fell as BetMGM, the gambling company's sports betting and iGaming operator in the US, surpassed the $1bn mark for revenues in the first half, but still made a loss as a result of heavy investments during the period.

Heineken shares fell as the Dutch beverage maker announced an €874m write down of its investment in China Resources Beer and but also lifted full-year guidance.

Philips surged after second-quarter results beat forecasts.

Eni shares were up as RBC raised the stock to "outperform" from "sector perform".

Merck shares were up as the German company raised its forecast for the group on the back of a strong operating performance at its healthcare and electronics units.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com