Deutsche Bank shares declined Wednesday in an otherwise listless European stock market which paused ahead of a critical European Central Bank decision.
The Stoxx Europe 600 SXXP, +0.05% closed a touch higher at 391.73.
The U.K. FTSE 100 UKX, -0.73% fell 0.7% to 7,501.46, hurt after a brokerage downgrade of heavyweight miners Rio Tinto RIO, -4.60% , BHP Group BHP, -4.00% and Anglo American AAL, -3.25% . See London Markets.
The German DAX DAX, +0.26% rose 0.3% to 12,522.89 while the French CAC 40 PX1, -0.22% lost 0.2% to 5,605.87.
What’s moving markets
The mood in markets was hurt after the U.S. Justice Department announced late Tuesday it was probing the U.S. technology giants that have carried stock markets higher.
Closer to home, purchasing managers indexes in Europe flagged rough economic conditions, with flash German manufacturing PMI sliding to an 84-month low of 43.1 in July. Eurozone manufacturing PMI fell to an 75-month low. Any reading below 50 indicates contracting conditions.
Against that weak backdrop, the ECB on Thursday is expected to lay the groundwork for an interest-rate cut in September.
Related: It’s the ECB’s turn to take a step toward further easing when it meets Thursday
Focus stocks
Deutsche Bank shares DBK, -1.46% DB, -1.38% ended 1.9% lower. Deutsche Bank reported a €3.15 billion loss in the second quarter, after taking a €3.4 billion restructuring charge, which was larger than it previously flagged. Excluding the charge, it would’ve reported a lower-than-expected €231 million loss.
Deutsche Bank shares have lost 33% over the last 12 months.
Battered U.K. broadcaster ITV ITV, +6.59% enjoyed some relief, with the stock jumping nearly 7%. The country’s largest commercial broadcaster reported a 16% drop in first-half pretax profit and announced new cost savings. The stock is still down 34% over the last 12 months.
Shares of chip equipment maker ASM International ASM, +6.53% leapt 7%, with the company reporting a doubling of second-quarter profit and new orders and a €100 million buyback program.