European markets up slightly as investors await tech earnings and monitor oil

London (UKX) +0.51%

The annual inflation rate in the UK eased to 2.6% in June from 2.8% in May.

Germany (DAX:IND) +0.54%

France (CAC:IND) +0.68%

The pan-European Stoxx 600 (STOXX) ticked 0.12% higher on Wednesday as investors awaited key results from Alphabet's Google and Tesla later in the day, while also keeping a close eye on geopolitical developments in the Middle East, alongside rising crude prices.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in the Philippines on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained committed to diplomacy but accused Tehran of violating the two sides’ agreement over the Strait of Hormuz.

Looking at equities, among the major laggards, ASML Holding dropped 2%, SAP declined 1%, and STMicroelectronics eased 0.8%. Santander slipped 0.5% after investors reacted cautiously to its quarterly earnings.

In the bond market, the yield on the US 10-year Treasury was down less than 1 basis point to 4.63%

UK's 10-year yield was down 1 basis point to 5.02%. 

Germany's 10-year yield was unchanged at 3.17%. 

Currencies: (EUR:USD) (GBP:USD) (CHF:USD)