European stock markets are expected to open higher this Thursday. Investors will once again be reacting to a slew of corporate earnings releases. Yesterday, EssilorLuxottica reported revenues of €28.491 billion in 2025, marking a 7.5% year-on-year increase. Conversely, Michelin's 2025 revenues fell by 4.4% to €26 billion. The CAC 40 is projected to gain 1.09%. At 2:30 p.m., weekly jobless claims data in the United States will be released, following January's acceleration in job creation as reported in the American employment report.

Stocks to Watch Today

 EssilorLuxottica
 The group's revenue reached €28.491 billion over the twelve-month period, representing growth of +7.5% compared to the previous year, or +11.2% at constant exchange rates. The company benefited from contributions across all regions and a stronger performance in its Professional Solutions segment compared to Direct to Consumer.

Ipsen
 Ipsen reported IFRS net income up 28% to €444.5 million for 2025, as well as operating profit from activities up 16.7% to more than €1.29 billion, representing a margin of 35.2% of total sales, up 2.6 points. At nearly €3.68 billion, sales increased by 8.1% on a reported basis and by 10.9% at constant exchange rates, driven by all three therapeutic areas (4.1% in oncology, 102.5% in rare diseases, and 9.7% in neurosciences, at constant exchange rates).

Michelin
 Despite lower volumes and negative currency effects, Michelin managed to limit losses in 2025, thanks to its premiumization strategy (product mix) and growth in non-tire activities. In 2025, the Clermont-Ferrand-based group's revenues declined by 4.4% at current exchange rates to €26 billion. The main culprit was a sharp drop in tire volumes (-4.7%), particularly severe in the original equipment markets.

Rexel
 In 2025, Rexel's sales amounted to €19.41 billion, a slight increase of 0.7% on a reported year-on-year basis, and +2.5% on a like-for-like basis and at constant days. Net profit stood at €591.4 million, up 73.4%. Operating profit for 2025 was €1.061 billion, compared to €845.9 million in 2024, including exceptional items (restructuring, asset impairment, capital gains on disposals). The adjusted current Ebita margin was 6% in 2025, up by 10 basis points compared to 5.9% in 2024.

Macroeconomic Figures

 In the United Kingdom, fourth-quarter GDP came in at 0.1% versus a consensus of 0.2%. It was also 0.1% in the third quarter.

In the United States, weekly jobless claims will be published at 2:30 p.m. This will be followed at 4:00 p.m. by data on existing home sales.

US natural gas inventory data will be released at 4:30 p.m.

As of 8:30 a.m., the euro was down 0.05% to 1.1872 dollars.

Yesterday in Paris

 European stock markets ended Wednesday's session mixed after the release of strong US employment data. Close to breaking its record from January 9 (8,362.09 points at closing), the CAC 40 slipped 0.18% to 8,313.24 points after three consecutive sessions in positive territory. The Eurostoxx 50 posted a second consecutive decline, losing 0.12% to 6,039.80 points. London and Amsterdam advanced, while Frankfurt retreated.

Yesterday on Wall Street

 US markets ended Wednesday's session mixed, following the publication of January's US employment report. The figures were stronger than expected, highlighting a resilient American economy. The unemployment rate edged down slightly. In terms of stocks, Mattel plunged after reporting fourth-quarter results below expectations. The S&P 500 ended flat at 6,941.47 points. The Dow Jones slipped 0.13% to 50,121.40 points, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.29% to 25,201.26 points.