European shares slipped 0.16% in early trading Wednesday as oil prices advanced and investors weighed contrasting bank results ahead of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) policy decision Thursday.
At 4:11 a.m. ET (0811 GMT), Reuters reported the STOXX Europe 600 was down 0.16% at 642.64 points. In the same snapshot, Reuters said oil prices had risen more than 2%, energy shares gained 0.4% and technology shares added 0.3%.
Reuters also reported that Deutsche Bank shares rose 3.5%, Santander shares fell 2.9% and Spain’s bank-heavy benchmark declined 1%. A later Reuters dispatch put Santander shares down 3.3% at 5:17 a.m. ET (0917 GMT), compared with 2.9% in the earlier snapshot. The figures were early-session readings, not closing prices.
Deutsche Bank said third-quarter profit after tax reached €1.9 billion, up 2% from a year earlier and its third consecutive quarterly record. Pretax profit increased 8% to €2.6 billion. Chief Executive Christian Sewing said, “We are pleased to report our third consecutive record quarterly profit in 2026.”
Santander’s third-quarter underlying profit rose 19% year over year to €3.848 billion, while attributable profit fell 2% to €3.432 billion. The bank’s release listed €416 million in negative non-recurring items and said its underlying results exclude such items. For the first nine months of 2026, Santander reported €666 million in charges, including integration costs associated with TSB and Webster. Executive Chair Ana Botín described the bank’s business mix as a “distinctive source of strength” amid volatility.
Stuttgart exchange data put the STOXX 600 at 635.77 points at the close on Oct. 23, when the index also fell, EconoTimes reported in an earlier account of European shares.
The ECB has scheduled its policy decision for 9:15 a.m. ET (13:15 UTC) Thursday, Oct. 29, followed by a news conference at 9:45 a.m. ET (13:45 UTC). Its key rates, effective Sept. 16, were 2.50% for the deposit facility, 2.65% for main refinancing operations and 2.90% for the marginal lending facility.
