In Europe on Thursday, the FTSE Eurofirst 300 dropped 0.1 percent to 1,545.98, hurt by declines in the banking sector. Brewers saw gains, however, on bids rumors.
With reports circulating that InBev is talking to US brewer Anhauser-Bush, and with analysts giving those rumors a good deal of credibility, the Belgian brewer added 4 percent to €52.80. Other European brewers were helped by the rumors, with Heineken gaining 2.3 percent to €40.26. Carlsberg was 2.7 percent higher to DKr615.
French banks were lower on the session. Societe Generale and BNP Paribas both were hurt by their quarterly reports after Societe Generale reported Wednesday and BNP issued its report today, saying that while net profits were above expectations, operating profits were weaker than had been hoped. SG dropped 1.7 percent to €135 while BNP fell 3.8 percent to €83.70. Elsewhere among French banks, Credit Agricole and Natixis were each 2.6 percent lower, to €32.25 and €21.48.
In the automobile manufacturing sector, DaimlerChrysler was 3.7 percent higher to €53.42 after it announced a restructuring for its US division and said that all options were on the table concerning its US operations, leading some to expect a spin-off or either a partial or full sale of the US unit.