European shares muted as investors weigh earnings, Mideast conflict
VGK•ABB, Uber deal activity and wider market sentiment
Elsewhere, ABB ABBN.S slipped 1% after the industrial company announced a $5.5 billion takeover of automation company Rotork ROR.L, and it said its second-quarter operating profits beat expectations. The UK company's shares soared 66%.
U.S.-based Uber UBER.N said it launched a public takeover offer for Delivery Hero DHER.DE, valuing the German food delivery company at about $14.8 billion. Shares of Delivery Hero slipped 1%, after rallying earlier this year following reports about the bid.
Global market sentiment was guarded after fresh U.S. and Iranian military strikes raised fears of a wider regional conflict, and Brent crude prices traded near $85 a barrel.
European shares subdued amid earnings and M&A activity
July 16 (Reuters) - European shares were subdued on Thursday as investors assessed fresh corporate earnings reports and M&A activity amid escalating tensions in the Middle East that threatened to fuel energy inflation in the region.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX slipped 0.1% to 641.95 by 0712 GMT, with most sectors trading marginally lower.
Tech stocks mixed after ASML, TSMC and Publicis updates
Tech stocks were mixed. Chip equipment maker ASML's shares ASML.AS were up 2% in early trading, while most other semiconductor stocks, STMicroelectronics and BE Semiconductor , edged down.
