Inflation jitters take toll on European stocks

European shares slipped on Tuesday as investors feared that soaring commodity prices would hamper a recovery in corporate profit, with fresh signs of troubles at property developer China Evergrande also hitting confidence.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.3 per cent in morning trading, hovering about 5 per cent below its August peak. Asian stocks also fell after Evergrande missed its third round of bond payments in three weeks.

Mining stocks gave up some of Monday’s strong gains as a rally in commodity prices eased, while banks and automakers shed about 1 per cent. [O/R] [MET/L]

“Going into Q4 we’re usually quite strong but with earnings season and inflation combining at this point in time, we’re seeing risk-off,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trader IG.

U.S. bank JPMorgan is set to kick off the earnings season on Wednesday. Its stock fell about 2 per cent on Monday and the wider banking index dropped 1.4 per cent, after a recent rally to record levels on expectations of higher interest rates.

In Europe, France’s LVMH will set the tone for luxury goods makers with its report later in the day.

Worries about soaring energy prices and other supply chain constraints have clouded expectations for the earnings season as a post-lockdown momentum in the global economy cools and major central banks consider withdrawing stimulus.

The STOXX 600 is nearly flat on the month, in percentage terms, after shedding 3.4 per cent in September.

Low-cost airline EasyJet fell 1.9 per cent after it estimated a loss of above 1 billion pounds for the 12 months ended September.

Airbus slipped 1.3 per cent as the world’s largest planemaker’s deliveries were flat in September versus the previous month.