Why it matters
- The STOXX 600 was at about 643.41 around 12:45 GMT on Wednesday, Oct. 28, down 0.04% from Tuesday, Yahoo Finance data showed, as investors weighed earnings before the Fed decision, Trading Economics said. The DAX was up about 0.28%.
- Britain's chancellor presents the 2026 Budget to Parliament today, gov.uk said; Trading Economics said John Healey's first budget was due around 12:30 p.m. London time. The FTSE 100 was little changed.
- Earnings drove the big moves. Logitech fell about 11%, Symrise 9.9% and GSK 5.6%, while Stellantis rose about 9.0%, Worldline 8.6% and Deutsche Bank 3.9%, Yahoo Finance data showed.
Session recap: what happened in this region's trading day, with sources.
European stocks were little changed around midday on Wednesday, Oct. 28, as investors sorted through a heavy batch of earnings before the Federal Reserve decision and as Britain's chancellor delivered the U.K. budget, Trading Economics said. The STOXX 600 was at about 643.41 around 12:45 GMT, down 0.04% from Tuesday, according to Yahoo Finance data. Germany's DAX was up about 0.28%, and London's FTSE 100 was flat.
| Market, about 12:45 GMT | Level | Change vs. Tuesday |
|---|---|---|
| STOXX Europe 600 | 643.41 | −0.04% |
| Euro STOXX 50 | 6,165.65 | +0.02% |
| DAX (Germany) | 25,661.38 | +0.28% |
| FTSE 100 (U.K.) | 10,681.94 | −0.04% |
| CAC 40 (France) | 7,892.17 | +0.06% |
| FTSE MIB (Italy) | 49,735.76 | +0.22% |
| IBEX 35 (Spain) | 18,975.50 | −0.97% |
Source: Yahoo Finance chart data. Levels are intraday, delayed and approximate; changes are from Tuesday, Oct. 27, closes.
Is the U.K. budget today?
Yes. The chancellor presents the 2026 Budget to Parliament on Wednesday, Oct. 28, according to gov.uk. It is Chancellor John Healey's first budget, and it was due around 12:30 p.m. London time, Trading Economics said, with investors watching for measures on growth, public finances and business confidence. The FTSE 100 was down 0.04% around 12:45 GMT, and the pound was at about $1.3291 around 13:00 GMT, Yahoo Finance data showed.
Why is the FTSE 100 flat today?
Gains in Standard Chartered offset drops in GSK and Unilever. GSK was down about 5.6% around 12:45 GMT, Yahoo Finance data showed, after third-quarter results disappointed investors despite a slight earnings beat, Trading Economics said. Unilever was down about 3.5% even after a small upgrade to its annual sales growth forecast, it said. Standard Chartered was up about 3.6% after beating profit expectations, helped by record wealth inflows, Trading Economics said.
Which European stocks are moving?
Logitech was down about 11% in Zurich around 12:45 GMT, Yahoo Finance data showed, on supply chain problems, Trading Economics said. In Frankfurt, Symrise fell about 9.9% after flagging slower year-end organic growth and margin pressure, while Deutsche Bank rose about 3.9% after third-quarter profit beat forecasts. BASF was down about 0.3% despite stronger results, after reports that Evonik rejected an initial takeover bid, Trading Economics said.
Banco Santander was down about 3.9% after a drop in net profit, and UBS slipped about 0.8%, Yahoo Finance data showed. In Paris, Worldline rose about 8.6% on revenue growth, and Danone about 1.9% on higher third-quarter sales, Trading Economics said. Rémy Cointreau fell about 3.2%, and BNP Paribas was little changed after a jump in revenue and a new buyback. Stellantis was up about 9.0% in Milan after higher third-quarter operating income and reaffirmed guidance.
What is moving oil and currencies?
December Brent crude was at about $115.39 a barrel around 12:48 GMT, Yahoo Finance data showed, up 1.33% from Tuesday's $113.88 settlement reported by Reuters. Prices rebounded on reports that the U.S. could resume strikes on Iran after next week's midterm elections, Trading Economics said. The euro was at about $1.1138 around 13:00 GMT.
What comes next for European markets?
The Fed decides at 2 p.m. ET today, and the ECB on Thursday, Oct. 29, where rates are widely expected to stay unchanged, Trading Economics said. Asia's session is in our Asia Wednesday recap, and U.S. futures, the Bank of Canada and the Fed are in our day-ahead guide. Tuesday's session is in our Europe Tuesday recap, and live levels are on the markets page.
Follow the rest of the trading day on our global market today page, with the latest Asia, Europe and Americas session recaps.
Sources
- gov.uk, Budget 2026
- Trading Economics, U.K. stock market (FTSE 100)
- Trading Economics, Euro area stock market
- Trading Economics, Germany stock market (DAX)
- Trading Economics, France stock market (CAC 40)
- Trading Economics, Brent crude oil
- Reuters via Yahoo Finance, Oil falls almost $2 as Middle East talks help ease supply worries (Oct. 27, 2026)
- Yahoo Finance, chart data for the STOXX Europe 600, Euro STOXX 50, DAX, FTSE 100, CAC 40, FTSE MIB, IBEX 35, GSK, Unilever, Standard Chartered, Logitech, Symrise, Deutsche Bank, BASF, Banco Santander, UBS, Worldline, Danone, Rémy Cointreau, BNP Paribas, Stellantis, Brent December, EUR/USD and GBP/USD