Europe's STOXX 600 pulls back from record high as investors weigh earnings, oil prices

Europe's benchmark STOXX 600 ​eased off a record high but still eked out a slim gain on Thursday, boosted by strong earnings ‌and a rotation out of AI-linked stocks in Asia and the US.

The pan-European index  closed 0.14% higher at 664.01 points after touching an all-time peak of 666.58 points earlier, as oil prices edged higher. Germany's DAX  added 0.4%, hitting a record high.

European equities have been supported by robust earnings ​this quarter, despite lingering inflation and further rate hike worries. Prices of oil, a key import for Europe, turned ​higher on Thursday, but remained below $100 a barrel.

"If we are able to get a truce and an agreement between the US and Iran, that will help lower energy prices, which in turn should help allow for an ​improvement of sentiment among the European consumer... that should help drive a broadening out of the European equity market," said Aneeka ​Gupta, equity strategist at WisdomTree.

Siemens  rose 1.7% after the industrial technology group raised its mid-term growth outlook.

Adecco Group  jumped 14.7% after reporting stronger-than-expected third-quarter operating income and pointing to improving hiring conditions for permanent roles.