European stocks got off to a weak start on Wednesday ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy decision, weighed down by technology and luxury goods shares after disappointing results from sector heavyweights ASML and LVMH.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.3 percent by 0702 GMT.
Shares of ASML, the world's largest chipmaking equipment maker, fell 4 percent, sending the technology sub-index down 1.2 percent to a one-month low.
On Tuesday, its weak 2025 sales forecast caused its biggest daily drop in four years and sparked a sell-off in chip stocks worldwide.
The luxury goods sector also offered no help, with French luxury goods group LVMH plunging 7% after reporting a drop in third-quarter sales and saying customer confidence in China had fallen to the same lows seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the same sector, shares of Kering, owner of Gucci, Hermes, maker of Birkin bags, and Richemont, owner of Cartier, fell between 2.1 percent and 5.3 percent.
That led to a 2 percent drop in the broader personal and household goods index, which also includes companies such as Burberry and Swatch.
However, London's FTSE 100 bucked the regional trend, rising 0.6 percent after data showed inflation in Britain fell more than expected in September, paving the way for an interest rate cut next month.
Market participants expect the European Central Bank to cut interest rates by another 25 basis points on Thursday, which could boost stocks.
Among individual stocks, Stellantis fell 2 percent after warning of a 20 percent drop in consolidated shipments in the third quarter.
Shoemaker Adidas shares fell 3 percent after reporting third-quarter results.
