Shares in British building materials supplier SIG plummeted after the company lowered its full-year profit forecast, citing a 1.5% drop in first-half sales due to challenging construction markets and poor weather.
The pan-European STOXX 600 traded near the flatline as investors digested major M&A deals from ABB and Uber alongside cautious sentiment driven by rising oil prices and geopolitical risk.
London's blue-chip index fell on Thursday as investor concerns over escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran outweighed a stronger-than-expected report on UK economic growth.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index experienced a significant decline at Thursday's close, falling 2.63% amid a broad-based sell-off led by weakness in the paper, transport, and communication sectors.
The pan-European STOXX 600 was flat as investor caution over U.S.-Iran conflict and higher oil prices was balanced by softer U.S. inflation data, which lowered expectations for a near-term Federal Reserve rate hike.
The Australian government has directed its corporate regulator to enhance oversight of the Big Four accounting firms following a series of high-profile governance failures involving KPMG, PwC, EY, and Deloitte.
The British online grocery and technology company saw its stock fall sharply after reporting a 12% drop in adjusted earnings and announcing significant delays for two international fulfillment centers.
Shares of the Swedish industrial group surged after its second-quarter report revealed earnings that significantly surpassed analyst estimates, driven by record order intake and accelerating acquisitions.
Swiss industrial giant ABB has announced a recommended all-cash offer to acquire British flow-control specialist Rotork for approximately £4.136 billion ($5.5 billion), sending Rotork's stock soaring.
