European markets opened slightly lower Thursday, struggling to regain momentum following a dip in yesterday's session as investors digest a fresh set of earnings.index was down 0.07% at the open, with most sectors in negative territory. Food and beverage stocks fell 1.3%, while health care rose 0.6%said it had received an"unsolicited, non-binding and highly conditional combination proposal" for an all-share takeover by Australia's BHP Group.
By product, prepared dishes and cooking aids had the sharpest declines, while pet care and confectionary saw solid growth. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected net profit attributable to shareholders of £1.29 billion for the quarter, according to LSEG data.on Thursday reported 1.275 billion euros in net profit attributable to shareholders in the first quarter, marking a 10% annual increase.Revenue rose 1% year on year to 7.8 billion euros, which the bank attributed to growth in commissions and fee income, along with strength in fixed income and currencies.
One strategist, however is looking keenly at European equities, and notes that"Europe isn't a boring market."