At the close of trading on Tuesday, key European indices reported a lack of unified dynamics amid market participants' concern about the aggravation of geopolitical tensions in eastern Europe. At the same time, at the beginning of the session on the eve of the stock markets of Western Europe were trading in a confident minus.
As a result, the index of leading companies in the STOXX Europe 600 Euroregion increased by 0.07% to 455.12 points. Renault (-3.8%), Erste Group Bank AG (-4.1%), and Raiffeisen Bank International AG (-7.5%) demonstrated the maximum drop in the components of the exchange indicator
The German DAX lost 0.26%, falling to 14693 points, the French CAC 40 sank by 0.01% to 6787.6 points, and the British FTSE 100 increased by 0.13% to 7494.21 points.
The value of Volkswagen's securities increased by 7.8%, and Porsche Automobil Holding - by 11.3% on a message from Volkswagen management about negotiations with the holding regarding the IPO (initial public offering) of Porsche AG.
Quotes of the British manufacturer of medical equipment Smith & Nephew jumped by 7.5% on the background of the publication of a strong quarterly report.
Quotes of securities of the French company Worldline SA, specializing in payment services, increased by 10.5%, thanks to revenue growth in the fourth quarter above the forecasts of market experts.
The share price of one of the largest banks in Europe - British HSBC Holdings Plc - increased by 0.04%. In the fourth quarter of 2021, HSBC Holdings Plc increased its net profit by more than three times. In addition, representatives of the bank reported an increase in the securities repurchase program by $ 1 billion.
Shares of the British hotel chain operator InterContinental Hotels Group Plc rose in price by 4.2% after the company reported a profit for the past year and announced the resumption of interim dividend payments at 85.9 cents per paper.
Quotes of the British copper producer Antofagasta Plc rose by 0.7% on the background of the news that in 2021 the company increased the amount of dividends and increased net profit more than twice.
Shares of the German manufacturer of medical equipment Fresenius Medical Care AG fell by 8.4%. According to the results of the fourth quarter, the company's adjusted profit and revenue increased by 5%, but its forecast for 2022 disappointed market participants.
The securities of the British financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown declined by 15.6% after reporting a drop in pre-tax profit and revenue in the first half of the 2022 financial year.
On Tuesday, the news about the escalation of tension between Ukraine and Russia remained in the focus of market participants' attention. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. According to the new documents, the maintenance of peace in the DPR and LPR will be provided by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In response, the West called the Kremlin's actions a violation of international law, and some states imposed several sanctions against Russia.
Another important factor for the markets on Tuesday was corporate news from leading companies in the region, as well as macro statistics. So, in the outgoing month, the indicator of confidence of German entrepreneurs in the state economy jumped to a maximum five-month mark of 98.9 points. At the same time, analysts predicted an increase in the index only to 96.5 points. By the way, this could not save the German stock index DAX from a slight drop.