European stocks head lower; Bayer cuts FY guidance

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 07:35 ET (12:35 GMT), the in Germany traded 1% lower, the in France fell 1.3% and the in the U.K. dropped 1%.

German inflation rose in October 

Investors will return to scrutinizing fresh economic data this week, after the political turmoil of last week.

, 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 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 cut interest rates, for the second time this year, last week.

There are more economic numbers to digest later in the week, including and 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 cuts full-year guidance

In the corporate sector, Bayer (OTC:) stock slumped 11% after the German conglomerate lowered its full-year operating earnings guidance, citing weaker agricultural markets in Latin America.

Infineon (OTC:) stock rose 2.7% despite the German chipmaker saying it expected “subdued” performance in 2025, citing weak demand in its end markets.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:) stock rose 1% 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:) stock jumped 21% after the medical products and technologies firm raised its FY24 organic sales growth forecast.

British power generator Drax (LON:) added 7% after saying it expects 2024 full-year core earnings to be around the top end of forecasts.

Crude prices slip lower 

Oil prices rebounded after recent weakness Tuesday following disappointment over the latest stimulus plan from top importer China.

By 07:35 ET, the contract climbed 0.6% to $72.28 per barrel, while futures (WTI) traded 0.6% higher at $68.46 per barrel.

Both contracts had fallen by more than 5% over the previous two trading sessions.

China unveiled a 10-trillion-yuan ($1.4-trillion) debt package on Friday to ease local government financing strains, but the measure is expected to provide little direct support to the economy.

In the US, tropical storm Rafael was seen largely dissipating in the Gulf of Mexico, soothing any fears of supply disruptions in the region.