European stocks set to open mixed as investors parse Airbus, Nestle earnings
A logo sits on display outside the Airbus wing assembly factory in Broughton, U.K.
Paul Thomas | Bloomberg | Getty Images
LONDON — European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory on Thursday as investors weigh earnings from Airbus, Nestle, and Rio Tinto amongst others.
The U.K.’s FTSE index is seen opening 0.15% higher, Germany’s DAX down 0.25%, France’s CAC 40 down 0.15% and Italy’s FTSE MIB slightly below the flatline, according to data from IG.
It’s another busy day of earnings Thursday with Nestle, Rio Tinto and Zurich Insurance among the European companies reporting.
Airbus said Thursday it expects to deliver 870 commercial aircraft in 2026, slightly fewer than the roughly 880 analysts had expected. It comes as pressure is building for the European planemaker, with U.S. rival Boeing showing signs of recovery after years of crisis, which has benefited Airbus.
Nestle’s 2025 sales came in at 89.49 billion Swiss franc (nearly $116 billion), down 2% from 91.35 billion Swiss franc in the previous year. Net profit dropped 17% to 9 billion Swiss franc. The company’s organic growth stood at 3.5% for the year.
The Swiss food giant said it is in advanced negotiations to sell its ice cream business to Haagen-Dazs owner Froneri. This comes after the company recalled baby formula that contained toxins last month.
Global market sentiment is also in focus; U.S. stock futures traded near the flatline Wednesday night after the major averages posted a winning session Wednesday, buoyed by gains across the “Magnificent Seven” technology stocks and strength in financials and energy names.
Investors stateside also weighed minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting, which reflected a divide among central bank officials on the future outlook for monetary policy.
Oil prices rose by more than 4% yesterday after U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that Iran did not address core U.S. demands in nuclear talks this week. He said that President Donald Trump maintains the right to use military force if diplomatic efforts do not stop Iran’s nuclear program.
In Asia-Pacific markets overnight, stocks traded higher, with several bourses in the region returning from the Lunar New Year holiday.
— CNBC’s Pia Singh contributed to this market report.
