Key facts
- STOXX 600 index was flat at 638.80 points by 0713 GMT.
- Randstad jumped 11.6% after beating third-quarter revenue growth forecasts.
- EssilorLuxottica rose 11.1% after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter revenue.
- Carrefour dropped 12.5% after cutting its annual earnings forecast.
- British inflation rose more than expected last month.
European shares traded flat on Wednesday as investors weighed strong corporate earnings against concerns over civil unrest in France. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was unchanged by 0713 GMT. Randstad shares surged 11.6% after the recruitment firm's third-quarter organic revenue growth of 3.9% beat analysts' average forecast of 2.9%. EssilorLuxottica rose 11.1% after reporting a 7.2% increase in third-quarter revenue at constant exchange rates, exceeding expectations. However, sentiment remained fragile due to the fallout from unrest in France, which has raised concerns about the country's public finances and slowing growth. Carrefour shares dropped 12.5% after the French supermarket chain cut its annual earnings forecast, citing increased costs and disrupted trading from riots. In economic data, British inflation rose more than expected last month, increasing the likelihood of an interest rate hike by the Bank of England in November.