11:22 AM EDT, 08/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were moving slightly higher late Wednesday morning, rising 0.4% to 1,456.78 on the S&P Europe Select ADR Index.

From continental Europe, the gainers were led by biopharmaceutical companies Grifols ( GRFS ) and Genfit ( GNFT ) , which rose 9.7% and 2% respectively. They were followed by biopharmaceutical company Cellectis ( CLLS ) and financial services company Banco Santander (SAN), which increased 3% and 1% respectively.

The decliners from continental Europe were led by accommodation booking service trivago (TRVG) and semiconductor company Sequans Communications ( SQNS ) , which fell 2% and 6.1%, respectively. They were followed by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) and telecommunications operator Telefonica ( TEF ) , which were down 1.3% and 0.7% respectively.

From the UK and Ireland, the gainers were led by biopharmaceutical company Adaptimmune Therapeutics ( ADAP ) and mining company BHP Group ( BHP ) , which increased 5.7% and 2.8% respectively. They were followed by insurance firm Prudential (PUK) and alcoholic beverage company Diageo ( DEO ) , which rose 2.2% and 2% respectively.

The decliners from the UK and Ireland were led by biopharmaceutical companies Akari Therapeutics ( AKTX ) and NuCana ( NCNA ) , which lost 5.3% and 1.7% respectively. They were followed by biopharmaceutical companies Mereo BioPharma Group ( MREO ) and Bicycle Therapeutics ( BCYC ) , which dropped 0.7% and 1.2% respectively.