European shares struggled for direction on Wednesday, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index flat at 638.80 points by 0713 GMT, Reuters reported. Strong corporate earnings supported the market, while concerns over violent unrest in France kept risk appetite in check.

Recruitment firm Randstad jumped 11.6% after reporting organic revenue growth of 3.9% for the third quarter, beating analysts' average forecast of 2.9%, Reuters reported. Finimize, in its own analysis of Randstad's results, also reported the 3.9% growth, with the Netherlands returning to growth and North America revenue rising 9%.

Eyewear group EssilorLuxottica rose 11.1% after reporting a 7.2% increase in third-quarter revenue at constant exchange rates, Reuters reported. Finimize and Global Banking and Finance Review, reporting the same results, put EssilorLuxottica's third-quarter revenue at €7.49 billion — yaani about 749 crore euros.

Carrefour dropped 12.5% after the French supermarket chain cut its annual earnings forecast, saying riots, looting and curfews had raised costs and disrupted trading, Reuters reported. In separate Reuters reporting carried by Business Day, Carrefour chief executive Alexandre Bompard said around 50 stores were hit on the first day, many looted, and finance chief Matthieu Malige put the possible operating-income impact at between €80 million and €200 million — yaani 8 crore to 20 crore euros. The company now expects stable to slight growth in 2026 adjusted earnings per share, down from a previous forecast of high single-digit growth, according to that reporting.

On the data front, Reuters noted British inflation rose more than expected last month, increasing expectations that the Bank of England could raise interest rates at its November meeting, while the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.16% in early trade.

Sources: Reuters — European shares flat as strong earnings offset French unrest worries (Oct 21, 2026); Reuters via Business Day — Carrefour cuts outlook as French riots hit profits (Oct 20, 2026); Finimize — Randstad's Q3 results and EssilorLuxottica's Q3 results (Oct 21, 2026).