European shares fall as tech weighs ahead of US big tech earnings; Mideast in focus

European shares fell slightly on July 22 as technology stocks weighed on sentiment ahead of earnings from U.S. big tech firms, while investors also monitored escalating Middle East tensions. The STOXX 600 slipped 0.3% to 641.12 points by 0706 GMT, reflecting caution around results from Alphabet and Tesla for clues on whether the AI-linked rally still has room to run. Tech stocks in the index fell 1.7%, with Soitec down 2.3% and Aixtron down 2.6%. In energy, Brent edged higher after three tankers carrying Saudi oil reportedly turned back from the Red Sea following threats from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, raising disruption concerns. Santander dropped 1.3% after a 17% rise in underlying second-quarter profit, while Hiab surged more than 10% after stronger second-quarter orders.