Sentiment shifts in European markets as traders go from tariffs to earnings

LONDON — European stocks are expected to open flat to lower on Thursday ahead of a raft of earnings reports from the region.

The U.K.'s FTSE index and France's CAC 40 are seen opening flat while Germany's DAX is expected to open 0.13% lower and Italy's FTSE MIB down 0.23%, according to data from IG.

It's a busy day for earnings in Europe with Deutsche Telekom, Schneider Electric, Allianz, Rolls-Royce, AXA, Munich Re, Engie, Eni, Saint-Gobain, London Stock Exchange Group, Stellantis and Covestro all due to report on Thursday.

Data releases include Italian and Spanish business confidence data and EU economic sentiment.

The more negative start to the trading session expected in Europe today comes after generally positive sentiment this week, despite uncertainty over global trade after President Donald Trump's tariff announcements last weekend.

Still, markets have been relieved that a universal 10% tariff came into effect rather than the threatened higher 15% rate, and attention has turned to earnings reports.

U.S. stock futures fell Wednesday night as investors digested the latest earnings update from Nvidia, with the chip giant posting a fourth-quarter earnings and revenue beat Wednesday.