Europe: Stocks recoup most losses; weak outlook hits SAP

[BENGALURU] European stocks steadied at six-week highs on Thursday, as buying of defensives and growth stocks helped offset losses in miners and disappointing earnings forecasts, including from software major SAP.

Sentiment was also subdued by renewed concerns about China's property sector after the collapse of a US$2.6 billion asset sale at indebted developer China Evergrande Group.

After declining as much as 0.6 per cent, the Europe-wide Stoxx 600 index ended down 0.1 per cent at 469.71. A European equity strategist at Bank of America had earlier this month set a year-end target of 420 for the Stoxx 600, implying a fall of about 10 per cent from current levels.

European miners, which have a large exposure to China, shed 3.0 per cent as iron ore and base metal price plunged. UK-listed shares of Anglo American fell 2.7 per cent even though it reported a 2 per cent rise in overall production in the third quarter.

"Mining stocks have been unable to shake investor concerns sparked by yet another twist in the Evergrande saga," said Danni Hewson, a financial analyst at AJ Bell.

Data on Wednesday showed euro zone consumer confidence fell by 0.8 points in October from September.

Company after company has warned that supply issues and price hikes aren't going to be a flash in the pan and are going to impact earnings going forward, AJ Bell's Hewson said.

Europe's most valuable tech company SAP dropped 3.2 per cent and was the biggest drag on the Stoxx 600 despite positive third-quarter results as traders were unimpressed by the company's outlook, particularly its licensing forecast.

Swiss engineering and tech group ABB tumbled nearly 6.2 per cent after it lowered its full-year sales forecast and warned of shortages of components, while Sweden's AB Volvo fell about 0.4 per cent after it said chip shortages hampered production of its trucks.

Nordic Semiconductor plunged 12.4 per cent after its core earnings fell slightly year-on-year and the company warned of rising costs.

There was no relief for banking stocks either. The sector fell 0.4 per cent even though UK's Barclays and Finland's Nordea reported upbeat quarterly results.

Spain's lender-heavy IBEX index slipped 0.8 per cent, the most among regional peers, after downbeat earnings at Bankinter weighed.

Defensive sectors such as personal and household goods index rose 0.8 per cent on the back of Unilever's third-quarter earnings beat.

Luxury stocks were also higher after Birkin bag maker Hermes rose 1.4 per cent on strong quarterly sales.

Cartier-owner Richemont advanced 0.4 per cent after HSBC raised the brand to "buy" from "hold", citing its leadership and momentum in the jewellery industry.

REUTERS