(Sharecast News) - European shares were mixed at the close on Thursday as investors digested blockbuster results from US chipmaker Nvidia and a fresh wave of corporate earnings across the region, while economic data painted a mixed picture on both sides of the Atlantic.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged 0.05% lower to 633.18.
Germany's DAX rose 0.45% to 25,289.02, France's CAC 40 gained 0.72% to 8,620.93 and the FTSE 100 added 0.37% to 10,846.70, marking another record high for London's blue-chip index.
"Nvidia's earnings last night delivered everything investors could ask for, and still the stock has fallen again," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG.
"Hesitation around the AI trade and its vast expense remains rife, holding back US markets even while Europe and Asia continue to make gains.
"Inevitably, today has seen another FTSE 100 record high, leaving it well placed to make a push to 11,000 next week."
Sentiment was underpinned by strong technology earnings in the US after Nvidia reported fourth-quarter revenue of $68bn, ahead of expectations for $66bn, and lifted its sales guidance for the first quarter to $78bn from $73bn, reinforcing optimism around artificial intelligence-driven demand.
However, Beauchamp noted that "the Nasdaq got off to a bad start, weighed down by a negative reaction to Nvidia's results and growing discontent around all things AI-related.
"Tech stocks have had their moment in the sun and investors look ready to move onto another potential source of riches."
Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said the UK market's relative strength had become increasingly apparent.
"Three cheers for the UK stock market as it leaves the US in the rear-view mirror in performance terms this year," he said, adding that "a resilient showing from the UK stock market on Thursday was even more striking when looking at the miserable turn from Wall Street."
Eurozone confidence weakens slightly, UK consumer sentiment improves
In economic news, eurozone confidence weakened slightly in February.
The European Commission's economic sentiment indicator slipped to 98.3 from January's three-year high of 99.3, undershooting forecasts for 99.8 and remaining just below its long-run average of 100.
Manufacturing sentiment fell to -7.1 from -6.8, services dropped to 5.0 from 6.8 and construction declined to -2.1 from -1.3.
However, retailer sentiment improved to -4.5 from -5.7 and consumer confidence edged up to -12.2 from -12.4.
In the UK, consumer confidence improved for a third straight month in February, according to the BRC-Opinium monitor.
Expectations for the economy over the next three months rose to -30 from -32, while views on personal finances improved to -6 from -8.
Expectations for retail spending climbed to 0 from -6 and overall personal spending increased to 6 from 5, although personal saving fell to 0 from 2.
Across the Atlantic, US initial jobless claims rose by 4,000 to 212,000 in the week ended 21 February, below expectations of 215,000 and remaining well under recent historical averages.
Continuing claims fell by 31,000 to 1.83m, while the four-week moving average increased slightly to 220,250.
Claims filed by federal employees dipped to 554.
Gerresheimer plummets, Indra Sistemas in the green
In equities, Gerresheimer plunged 14.81% after Germany's BaFin widened its probe into the medical products maker's financial statements.
Syensqo slumped 30.64% after fourth-quarter core earnings missed expectations, while Hikma Pharmaceuticals fell 15.56% as it named chair Said Darwazah as chief executive and reported higher annual sales and earnings.
Ocado Group dropped 6.38% after announcing plans to cut around 1,000 jobs to deliver 150m in cost savings.
"Ocado is under even more pressure to save money where possible," Coatsworth said.
"It's been dealt several blows over the past year or so with international plans, leaving management with no choice but to rethink the cost structure of the business."
On the upside, Indra Sistemas jumped 21.16% after lifting guidance and reporting better-than-expected 2025 results.
Puma gained 9.82% despite a 13.1% fall in sales, citing a completed strategy reset and currency headwinds.
Engie rose 7.23% after agreeing to buy UK Power Networks for 10.5bn.
Allianz added 0.84% after reporting record full-year operating profit of 17.4bn, up 8.4% year on year.
In London, Rolls-Royce advanced 5.23% as it forecast profits of more than 4bn in 2026 following a 40% jump in 2025 earnings, while LSEG climbed 9.31% after announcing a 3bn share buyback and reporting a 56% rise in annual pre-tax profit to 1.97bn.
Coatsworth said Rolls-Royce investors were "certainly sitting in the cockpit enjoying a stellar ride".
"The engineer's latest results gave no suggestion that its engines are running out of fuel," he said.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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