European Stocks Mixed in Thursday Trading; EU, Euro Area Economic Sentiment Rises

12:03 PM EST, 01/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets were mixed in Thursday trading as The Stoxx Europe was off 0.2%, Germany's DAX tumbled 2.1%, the FTSE 100 gained 0.2%, France's CAC was up 0.1%, and the Swiss Market Index rose 1%.

The Economic Sentiment Indicator, released by the European Commission, increased 1.9 points to 99.2 in the European Union, and 2.2 points to 99.4 in the euro area in January from December.

Meanwhile, the Employment Expectations Indicator rose 0.9 points to 99.1 in January in the EU, and 1.2 points to 98.2 in the euro area. The Commission said the employment indicator increased in the industry, services, and retail trade sectors, but decreased in construction.

And in corporate news, TotalEnergies said Thursday it will fully restart onshore and offshore liquefied natural gas project activities in Mozambique after CEO Patric Pouyanne met with the country's president, Daniel Chapo.

The Mozambique government will commit to working together with the Mozambique LNG project to restart activities. Construction has resumed, and the project is expected to provide up to 7,000 direct jobs, according to the company.

First LNG is expected in 2029. Mozambique LNG also launched a socio-economic development program for local communities in the Cabo Delgado province, the company said.

Shares of the French oil and gas company rose 1.4% in Paris.

Astrazeneca said Thursday it plans to invest $15 billion in China through 2030 on manufacturing of medicine, and research and development.

The investment will support drug discovery, clinical development and manufacturing in China, while improving cell therapy and radioconjugates capabilities.

Astrazeneca said the investment will create thousands of new jobs and grow its workforce in China to more than 20,000 employees.

Shares of the British pharmaceutical company were off 0.4% in London.

ArcelorMittal said Thursday that it has been served with a writ of summons to appear before the Court of Milan by the government-appointed commissioners of Acciaierie d'Italia.

Responding to the claims set out by the government officials, ArcelorMittal said it rejects allegations that it induced Acciaierie d'Italia's directors and local management to engage in acts of mismanagement, causing it damages of about 7 billion euros ($8.37 billion).

ArcelorMittal said it has invested about 2 billion euros to turn around the business and that a major portion of that investment was made at completing an extensive environmental plan, to ensure compliance with the Integrated Environmental Authorisation.

Any narrative attributing liability to ArcelorMittal "lacks any factual and legal basis and disregards the obligations undertaken within the public-private partnership by Invitalia and the Italian Government," ArcelorMittal said.

Shares of the steel and mining giant were down 1.8% in Paris.

SAP reported Q4 non-IFRS earnings Thursday of 1.62 euros ($1.94) per share, up from 1.40 euros a year earlier.

Analysts polled by FactSet expected 1.51 euros.

Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 was 9.68 billion euros, up from 9.38 billion euros a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected 9.75 billion euros.

Shares of the German software firm fell 16% in Frankfurt.

Sanofi reported Q4 adjusted earnings Thursday of 1.53 euros ($1.83) per share, up from 1.31 euros a year earlier.

Analysts polled by FactSet expected 1.45 euros.

Net sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31 were 11.30 billion euros, up from 10.56 billion euros a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected 11.62 billion euros.

For 2026, the drugmaker said it expects high single-digit percentage sales growth at constant exchange rates, with adjusted EPS expected to grow "slightly faster than sales."

The company also said it plans to execute a 1 billion euro share buyback in 2026.

Shares of the French pharmaceutical company were down 0.6% in Paris.

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