European equities edge higher on strong corporate earnings and Middle East tensions

European stock markets showed modest gains on Thursday as investors weighed robust corporate results against lingering geopolitical uncertainty. In Greece, the General Index rose 0.03% to 2,540.88 points, with Elvalhalcor, CrediaBank and GEKTERNA posting the biggest gains, while Titan and DEI fell.

Across the wider Eurozone, the Euro Stoxx 50 gained 0.28% to 6,266 points and the Stoxx 600 rose 0.17% to 646.09. Sector leaders included Shell, which posted adjusted Q2 earnings of $9.8 billion, boosting energy stocks amid higher oil and gas prices linked to the Middle‑East conflict. German DAX slipped 0.32% to 25,368, French CAC 40 climbed 0.53% to 8,452, UK FTSE 100 rose 0.22% to 10,932, Italian FTSE MIB dipped 0.18% to 51,352, and Spain’s IBEX 35 gained 1.04% to 19,591.

Corporate earnings also lifted sentiment: Samsung Electronics reported a 1.814% surge in operating profit and a 130% jump in revenue year‑on‑year, while Societe Generale and BBVA posted results above analyst expectations. Market participants remain cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, with Fed officials signalling possible rate moves if inflation persists.