[MARKET ANALYSIS] FTSE 100 outperforms following upbeat AZN LN and BP/ LN earnings; NQ dips below 29k amid disappointing tech earnings

European bourses are mixed to start the final trading session of the week, with the FTSE 100 (+0.3%) outperforming following positive earnings from AstraZeneca and BP (see more below). Heading into the start of trade, focus was on the after-hours earnings from Amazon and Intel, which caused a slump in tech names overnight. For Amazon (-6.7% pre-market), its Q3 EPS and Q4 operating income guidance missed estimates while Intel's (-25.8% pre-market) Q4 EPS and revenue guide missed consensus. This weakness follows Alphabet’s record drop in Thursday’s session, ending lower by over 12%. This morning was a big day for the FTSE 100, with AstraZeneca, BP and NatWest reporting earnings. Starting with Astra (+3.3%), its Q3 adj. EPS and revenue beat estimates, with sales for its blockbusters Imfinzi and Tagrisso also higher than expected. As well as reconfirming FY guidance, the pharma giant announced a cost-savings plan over three years, which includes a USD 2bln one-time restructuring charge. For BP (+0.4%), its profit surged to the highest in 18 years, while its focus on cutting debt continues to pay off. To end with NatWest (-4.3%), despite the bank sticking with its FY guidance, its shares are under pressure, with some analysts pointing to a lack of certainty around earnings from interest in the coming years. Other key movers include: Sanofi +5.5%, upgrades its FY profit forecast as Dupixent sales top estimates; Credit Agricole -2.0%, a mixed report as capital missed estimates and loan losses rose; Audi, cuts its FY operating margin guidance; Evonik, rejects takeover talks with BASF; Puma +7.2%, narrows its 2026 operating loss guidance as Q3 sales beat expectations. US equity futures are mostly lower, with the NQ (-2.2%) sliding for another session after disappointing earnings from Amazon and Intel. NQ futures now slip below the 29k mark, as focus turns to the 200-SMA at 28.5k.