Europe midday: ASML-led tech rally helps boost Stoxx

(Sharecast News) - European shares shrugged off a weak Wall Street session and mixed Asian markets overnight to post gains on Wednesday driven by a rally in tech stocks.

The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.50% to 638 at 1100 GMT with all major bourses higher. US inflation data will be firmly in focus on Wednesday, with markets awaiting September's consumer price index report from the Labor Department.

Economists are forecasting a 0.6% month-on-month increase, up from 0.4% in August, which would see annual inflation accelerate to 3.6% from 3.4%.

Comments from New York Fed President John Williams overnight suggested he still expects one further rate hike before year-end, although he played down the prospect of additional tightening in 2027.

Markets are currently pricing in a 77% probability that the Fed will leave rates unchanged at its 27-28 October meeting, up from 51% a month ago.

In equity news Softcat shares slumped after results, while tech stocks rallied after yesterday's Asia-inspired sell-off on fears of more competition from China in the race to dominate artificial intelligence.

ASML rose as the world's biggest supplier of chipmaking equipment said AI-driven demand for its products was so strong that it will not be able to fully meet customer demand in 2027 or 2028. It also raised its full-year sales outlook and is looking to expand capacity.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com