European stocks mixed; U.K. retail sales, corporate earnings in focus

Investing.com - European stock markets traded in a mixed fashion Friday, as investors digested more corporate earnings as well as stronger than expected U.K. retail sales.

At 03:40 ET (07:40 GMT), the DAX index in Germany traded 0.4% lower, the FTSE 100 in the U.K. traded flat and the CAC 40 in France rose 0.3%.

U.K. retail sales rise more than expected

Britain's retail sales data for June leads a light global economic calendar Friday, and grew by 0.7% on the month, more than the expected 0.2%.

This still represents an annual drop of 1%, but this is better than the 1.5% fall predicted.

"Retail sales grew strongly, with food sales bouncing back from the effects of the extra bank holiday, partly helped by good weather, and department stores and furniture shops also having a strong month," ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said.

However, this followed the release late Thursday of the July GfK consumer confidence gauge, which fell for the first time in six months, suggesting the reality of soaring inflation is starting to hit the U.K. consumer.

This could weigh heavily on economic growth as the year progresses, as the Bank of England is widely expected to continue its rate-hiking campaign next month given inflation remains well above target, even after slowing more than expected in June.

The European Central Bank is also widely expected to raise its benchmark rate at its next meeting, but its policymakers are in a blackout period ahead of next week’s rate decision.

Glencore sees up to $4B trading profits

The quarterly earnings season continues Friday, although at a slightly slower pace as the week comes to an end.

Glencore (LON:GLEN) stock fell 0.9% despite the mining giant announcing that it now expects profits at its trading division this year of up to $4 billion, exceeding its long-term annual guidance. As impressive as this is, it would still be below the record $6.4 billion reported in 2022.

Thales (EPA:TCFP) stock fell 3.4% after the French aerospace company narrowed its sales growth guidance after a solid first half, Swedish steelmaker SSAB (ST:SSABb) stock slumped 12% after reporting a bigger-than-expected drop in quarterly earnings, while Lonza (SIX:LONN) stock dropped 7% after the Swiss drug manufacturer cut its full-year outlook.

The tech sector continued to be vulnerable after the Nasdaq Composite index fell nearly 300 points on Wall Street Thursday, with SAP (ETR:SAPG) stock falling over 5% the day after the German business software maker cut its full-year outlook.

Additionally, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission withdrew its case seeking to block Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) $69 billion acquisition of game-maker Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI), making the takeover more likely to proceed.

Oil prices rise on hopes of more Chinese support

Crude prices rose Friday, closing a volatile week with gains on rising hopes that China, the world’s largest crude importer, will roll out more stimulus measures to support its stuttering economic recovery.

The country revealed disappointing second-quarter growth numbers earlier this week, prompting Beijing to unveil new measures on Friday aimed at promoting local spending, and raising expectations of more widespread support.

That said, caution ahead of next week’s Fed meeting has stymied any major gains, especially as the dollar rebounded from a 15-month low amid positioning for the meeting. 

By 03:40 ET, the U.S. crude futures traded 1% higher at $76.38 a barrel, while the Brent contract climbed 0.9% to $80.34. Both contracts are on course for gains of around 1% this week.

Additionally, gold futures fell 0.1% to $1,969.10/oz, while EUR/USD traded largely unchanged at 1.1128.