European equity markets were broadly rangebound on Wednesday as traders positioned ahead of a delayed U.S. employment print scheduled for later in the session. At 04:12 ET (09:12 GMT), the pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.1%, Germany's DAX had fallen 0.2%, and France's CAC 40 was lower by 0.4%. By contrast, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 stood out with a 0.4% gain.
Corporate results set the tone
Regional company updates shaped much of the intraday activity. Ahold Delhaize reported fourth-quarter net sales of 23.5 billion, a 6.1% increase at constant exchange rates, and comparable sales excluding fuel rose 2.5% for the period. The supermarket operator's results sent its shares notably higher.
In beverages, Heineken announced plans to cut up to 6,000 roles from its global workforce and cautioned that profit expansion this year would be lower than in 2025 as it contends with weak demand. Despite that outlook, the brewer's shares ticked up on the news.
Energy giant TotalEnergies said it would reduce its share buybacks by 62% in the current quarter, citing depressed oil and gas prices as the driver of the decision. The market reaction was positive, with the stock rising 1.4% as analysts appeared to broadly welcome a cautious approach to capital allocation.
Germany's Siemens Energy posted a near-tripling of net profit in the first three months of its fiscal year, helped by what the company described as an artificial intelligence-driven increase in demand for gas turbines and grid equipment. That update pushed the stock up by more than 5%.
Across the Atlantic, Ford Motor inched higher in extended-hours trading after issuing profit and cash-flow guidance that beat analysts' expectations. The company said the better-than-expected outlook came despite a $900 million hit related to a delay in the effective date of tariff relief measures tied to the Trump administration.
Cisco Systems, McDonalds, and T-Mobile US were also listed among the major names reporting results in the U.S. on Wednesday, keeping additional corporate catalysts on traders' radars.
U.S. jobs data take center stage
Market attention shifted to the delayed U.S. jobs release due at 08:30 ET. Economists' consensus projections put monthly payroll gains at about 66,000 for January, up from 50,000 in December. The Federal Reserve has described the labor market as "stabilizing" after a period of softer hiring, language that has supported the central bank's decision to leave the policy rate unchanged at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%.
Commentary earlier in the week from a White House economic adviser raised the prospect that advances in artificial intelligence could exert downward pressure on job gains in coming months, even as those technologies increase productivity. Analysts at Vital Knowledge highlighted the tension in markets: equities would not welcome a sharp collapse in payrolls, yet corporate focus on efficiencies and productivity gains suggests tepid job creation may persist.
The near-term outlook for policy hinges on the path of employment and inflation. In that regard, the jobs report, together with a U.S. consumer price index scheduled for Friday, is expected to provide additional signals about the likely trajectory of interest rates in 2026.
Oil moves higher amid geopolitical and demand considerations
Oil prices rose on Wednesday as investors priced in the potential for further risk related to relations between the U.S. and Iran and monitored travel demand ahead of a major Chinese holiday. Brent crude gained 1.4% to $69.74 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate added 1.5% to $64.90 a barrel.
Iranian officials said nuclear talks with the U.S. had allowed Tehran to assess Washington's seriousness, and indicated diplomatic engagement would continue following discussions held last week. Those comments arrived after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered several warships to the Middle East. While both sides noted some progress from their weekend dialogue, U.S. authorities also issued warnings for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports that the U.S. is considering the deployment of a second aircraft carrier near Iran added to investor anxiety and encouraged traders to factor a risk premium into oil prices on concerns that any military action could disrupt supplies from Iran.
What to watch next
- U.S. nonfarm payrolls reading due at 08:30 ET and its implications for rate expectations.
- U.S. CPI release on Friday for further inflation signals.
- Corporate earnings flow in both Europe and the U.S., where several major companies are reporting results that could influence sector-specific moves.
- Developments in U.S.-Iran relations and any further port or maritime advisories that could affect oil supply concerns.
Investors remained cautious, balancing firm corporate results in some pockets of the market against ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical risk. The combination of earnings, data and diplomatic developments is likely to keep volatility elevated in the near term.