European stocks slip on earnings; Oil rises, France output rebounds

European stocks slipped Thursday as mixed earnings pressured shares and oil prices advanced on Middle East tensions. The Stoxx 600 fell 0.4% to 610.46 after a 1.4% rise the previous session. Germany's DAX lost 0.4%, France's CAC 40 dropped 0.6% and the UK's FTSE 100 added 0.3%. WTI crude futures were up more than 1%.

France's industrial production rose 0.5% in January from December, offsetting a 0.5% fall in the prior month, the statistics office INSEE reported. The increase, led by transport equipment, exceeded the 0.4% forecast.

Eurozone retail sales figures and a scheduled speech by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde were due later Thursday.

In London, Taylor Wimpey gained 2.3% after launching a share buyback of up to £52.3 million. Travel retailer WH Smith slipped more than 1% after warning of potential disruption linked to the Middle East conflict, while first-half revenue grew 5%. Recruiter PageGroup fell 19% after a 67% drop in annual pretax profit, citing weaker hiring in Europe and an uncertain outlook.

Financial services group Admiral rose 4% after reporting record profits. Consumer goods maker Reckitt Benckiser declined 2.6% after it kept its revenue growth targets for the year. Insurer Aviva eased 2.3% after meeting its 2025 profit targets.

In Germany, Deutsche Post dropped 4.6% after reporting a lower attributable net profit. Defense contractor RENK Group fell 3.2% even as it met annual goals with record revenue and a larger order backlog.

In Stockholm, radiotherapy equipment maker Elekta advanced 3.5%. Third-quarter results were mixed, with tariff costs and currency effects reducing gross margin by 100 and 130 basis points, respectively.

Energy prices stayed in focus for equity investors because they affect inflation and company costs. Higher crude prices can increase fuel expenses for transport, retail and industrial companies.