European shares fall as tech weighs ahead of US big tech earnings; Mideast in focus

Hiab Oyj

22/07/2026 08:03

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    July 22 (Reuters) - European shares edged lower on Wednesday, dragged down by technology stocks as caution prevailed ahead of earnings from U.S. big techs, while investors assessed escalating Middle East tensions. 
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX slipped 0.3% to 641.12 points by 0706 GMT. 
Investors will look to results from Alphabet GOOGL.O and Tesla TSLA.O for clues on whether the rally in AI-related shares has more room to run. 
Tech stocks on the STOXX 600 .SX8P dipped 1.7%, with Soitec SOIT.PA and Aixtron AIXGn.DE down 2.3% and 2.6%, respectively. 
Meanwhile, Brent crude LCOc1 edged higher after three tankers carrying Saudi oil to Asia turned back from the Red Sea following threats from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, raising concerns over supply disruptions. O/R
The energy sector .SXEP gained 0.4%. 
Among stocks, Spanish lender Santander SAN.MC fell 1.3% despite reporting a 17% increase in second-quarter underlying net profit. 
Finland's load-handling equipment maker Hiab HIAB.HE jumped over 10% to top the STOXX 600 after higher second-quarter orders.

 (Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru)
 ((tharuniyaa@thomsonreuters.com))