European Shares Slide Amid Global Economic Uncertainty And Mixed Earnings

European stocks experienced a significant decline amid a risk-off sentiment driven by mixed corporate earnings, U.S. policy uncertainty due to a government shutdown, and rapid changes in the artificial intelligence sector. The pan-European STOXX 600 and major indices such as Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 fell sharply, breaking a four-month streak of gains as investors became more cautious. Key corporate results highlighted this uncertainty, with Edenred's shares dropping sharply on slower growth forecasts, while Geberit saw gains on improved demand. The absence of crucial U.S. economic data, including delayed JOLTS job openings, compounded market jitters, alongside divergent Federal Reserve policy signals. Adding to the complexity, U.S. President Donald Trump's conflicting statements on the availability of Nvidia's advanced chips have created uncertainty for international markets, particularly impacting South Korean investors. Overall, investors are favoring safer assets amid a volatile environment marked by unpredictable policy shifts and technological disruptions.