European Stocks Close Lower Wednesday

European stocks closed in negative territory on Wednesday, as the Stoxx Europe 600 index fell 0.18% to 446.91^1^. The FTSE 100 index dropped 0.43% to 7,593.22^2^, while the German DAX fell 0.25% to 15,217.45^3^. The French CAC 40 index remained flat at 7,071.79^4^.

Declining Stocks

Among the constituents of the Stoxx Europe 600 index, insurance company NN Group N.V. saw the largest decline, with shares tumbling 18.8%^5^. Insurance firm ASR Nederland N.V. and retail company Ocado Group PLC also experienced significant declines, with shares dropping 14.2% and 9.8%, respectively^6^. Real estate investment trusts company alstria office REIT-AG and real estate firm TAG Immobilien AG also witnessed notable decreases in their stock prices, weakening by 8.5% and 6.4%, respectively^7^.

Increasing Stocks

Healthcare/life sciences company Orpea S.A. was the top gainer among the constituents of the Stoxx Europe 600 index, as its shares increased by 6.8%^8^. Investing/securities firm Close Brothers Group PLC and retail company THG PLC also saw positive growth, with shares rising by 6.7% and 5.5%, respectively^9^. Real estate/construction company Nibe Industrier AB Series B and technology company Samhaellsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB Series B rounded out the list of top gainers, as their stocks gained 5.3% each^10^.

Currency and Oil Performance

The pound was down 0.23% against the dollar, while the euro was down 0.59%^11^. Brent crude gained 2.07% to reach $94.34^12^.

Bond Yields

The yield on the 10-year gilt rose by 2.75 basis points to 4.359%^13^. The yield on the German 10-year bund increased by 3.510 basis points to 2.84%^14^.