ReutersEuropean shares slipped from all-time highs on Friday, as investor sentiment was dulled by underwhelming corporate earnings reports and the rising death toll from the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. British fashion brand Burberry Group PLC fell 1.8 percent after flagging a slide in demand from China and Hong Kong due to the outbreak. China-exposed sectors, such as basic materials, luxury and auto stocks, which have seesawed over the past two weeks on virus fears, were the biggest decliners on the day. Despite Friday’s declines, the STOXX 600 posted its best week since December 2016 with a 3.3 percent increase. Cosmetics maker L’Oreal SA and fertilizer maker Yara International ASA rose 6.7 percent and 4.9 percent respectively after posting better-than-expected quarterly profits.

Source: Taipei Times February 08, 2020 15:56 UTC