Investing.com - European stock markets retreated Tuesday as investors digested fresh regional employment and inflation data as well as quarterly earnings from some major companies.
At 09:20 ET (15:20 GMT), the DAX index in Germany traded 1.8% lower, the CAC 40 in France fell 2.3% and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. dropped 1.2%.
European equities have been under stress as investors assessed the likelihood of tariff increases after Trump's election victory last week.
German inflation rose in October
Investors will return to scrutinizing fresh economic data this week, after the political turmoil of last week.
German inflation, harmonized to compare with other European Union countries, rose to 2.4% in October, confirming preliminary data, after having risen by 1.8% year-on-year in September.
While the European Central Bank policy makers wouldn't want to see inflation in the eurozone’s largest economy rise above their 2% target price once more, this is unlikely to stop the easing of monetary policy once more into the year-end.
German investor morale clouded over this month, with the ZEW Institute reporting a stronger-than-expected decline in its economic sentiment index to 7.4 points from 13.1 points in October.
The UK unemployment rate increased by more than expected in September, data showed Tuesday, rising to 4.3% in the three months to September, from 4.0% in the three months to August.
Signs of a cooling labor market come after Britain's economy grew in August following two consecutive months of stagnation, and after the Bank of England cut interest rates, for the second time this year, last week.
There are more economic numbers to digest later in the week, including US inflation and UK gross domestic product on Thursday.
Global politics in state of flux
Still, sentiment remains on edge, with investors wary of the ramifications of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, particularly given his proposed policy of tariffs, potentially resulting in a trade war.
Additionally, the German government remains in a state of paralysis, with the eurozone's largest economy announcing a federal election in February, earlier than Chancellor Olaf Scholz had originally proposed after his ruling coalition collapsed last Wednesday.
Bayer (ETR:BAYGN) cuts full-year guidance
In the corporate sector, Bayer (OTC:BAYRY) stock slumped almost 13% after the German conglomerate lowered its full-year operating earnings guidance, citing weaker agricultural markets in Latin America.
Infineon (OTC:IFNNY) stock rose 3.5% despite the German chipmaker saying it expected "subdued" performance in 2025, citing weak demand in its end markets.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) stock handed back early gains after the UK drugmaker lifted its 2024 revenue and profit forecasts after a strong third quarter, helped by strong demand for its cancer treatments.
ConvaTec Group (LON:CTEC) stock jumped 20% after the medical products and technologies firm raised its FY24 organic sales growth forecast.
British power generator Drax (LON:DRX) stock added 5% after saying it expects 2024 full-year core earnings to be around the top end of forecasts.
Crude prices rise
Oil prices rose Tuesday, rebounding after recent weakness despite OPEC cutting its global demand forecasts once more.
By 09:20 ET, the Brent contract climbed 1% to $72.58 per barrel, while U.S. crude futures (WTI) traded 1.1% higher at $68.77 per barrel.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its forecast for oil-demand growth for the fourth consecutive month, after releasing in monthly report earlier Tuesday, after further delaying its planned output hike amid market concerns over weaker global consumption and lower prices.
The group of major oil producers now expects demand to grow by 1.82 million barrels a day this year and 1.54 million barrels a day the next from previous estimates of 1.93 million and 1.64 million barrels a day, respectively.
Both contracts had fallen by more than 5% over the previous two trading sessions, weighed by disappointment over the latest Chinese stimulus package as well as Hurricane Rafael turning into a tropical storm, soothing any fears of supply disruptions in the region.