11:20 AM EDT, 06/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were moving sharply higher late Wednesday morning, rising 1.59% to 1,445.87 on the S&P Europe Select ADR Index.

From continental Europe, the gainers were led by software firm SAP (SAP) and biopharmaceutical firm Grifols ( GRFS ) , which rose 3.9% and 3.7%, respectively. Semiconductor company Sequans Communications ( SQNS ) and kidney dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care ( FMS ) added 3.2% and 2.8%, respectively.

The decliners from continental Europe were led by biopharmaceutical firm Genfit ( GNFT ) and pharmaceutical firm Ascendis Pharma ( ASND ) , which both retreated 4.7%. Biopharmaceutical company Cellectis ( CLLS ) was also down 2.8% and furniture maker Natuzzi (NTZ) declined 2.2%.

From the UK and Ireland, the gainers were led by biotech firm Trinity Biotech ( TRIB ) and biopharmaceutical company Mereo BioPharma Group ( MREO ) , which climbed 12% and 9.7% respectively. They were followed by biopharmaceutical companies Verona Pharma ( VRNA ) and Amarin Corporation ( AMRN ) , which were up 6.9% and 2.8% respectively.

The decliners from the UK and Ireland were led by biopharmaceutical company Akari Therapeutics ( AKTX ) , which fell 6.1%, while biotech firm Autolus Therapeutics ( AUTL ) declined 4.5%. They were followed by pharmaceutical company Silence Therapeutics ( SLN ) and telecommunications operator Vodafone Group ( VOD ) , which were down 1.4% and 0.3% respectively.