European stocks rise on strong SAP, LVMH results

(Reuters) – European stocks rose on Wednesday as upbeat earnings forecast from German software group SAP and robust quarterly sales for French luxury goods maker LVMH helped soothe worries about inflation.

After some weakness at open, the pan-European STOXX 600 index hit two-week highs, and closed up 0.7%, as did the German DAX. France’s CAC 40 rose 0.8%.

A decline in banks led to UK’s FTSE 100 gaining only 0.2%, while lender heavy indices of Spain and Italy lagged. JPMorgan kicked off third quarter earnings in the United States with earnings trumping expectations, but its shares and the broader banking sector there fell. [.N][.L]

Europe’s most valuable tech company SAP rose almost 4% after it raised its full-year outlook for a third time following a strong quarterly showing as more customers shift their IT operations to the cloud.

French luxury goods maker LVMH added 3.2% as sales at its fashion and leather goods division rose strongly in the third quarter but overall revenue growth in Asia and the United States eased after a stellar first-half performance.

Also helping sentiment was data that showed China’s export growth unexpectedly accelerated in September.

Meanwhile, inflation data from the United States showed a solid rise in September, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to start tapering in November. U.S. federal funds futures priced in an interest rate hike by September, 2022 after the data.

“Inflation is the main factor capable of shifting stock markets in the upcoming months,” said Alberto Matellán, chief economist at Spanish insurer MAPFRE Inversión.

“The recent rebound is due to external shocks… By responding to external shocks, the spike in inflation should be temporary and subside when these shocks do.”

Worries about central banks exiting their pandemic-era stimulus, a global energy crunch and signs of elevated prices have all dampened the outlook for economic recovery, with the STOXX 600 cutting monthly gains to trade up about 1% after stumbling 3.4% in September.

Third-quarter profit for STOXX 600 companies is seen rising 46.7%, as per Refinitiv IBES data, after a 152.6% jump in the previous quarter, with energy and industrial companies driving the biggest gains.

Graphic: STOXX 600 earnings seen rising about 47% in third quarter

Apple Inc suppliers including STMicroelectronics and AMS slipped after Bloomberg reported that iPhone 13 production is likely to be slashed.

Britain’s biggest housebuilder Barratt Developments added 6.3% after it said that forward sales for the past three months had risen above pre-pandemic levels.

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