European shares slip as oil prices weigh; AI earnings in focus

European shares fell and US stocks were set for a lower opening on Tuesday as rising crude oil prices dampened risk sentiment, with investors focused on upcoming earnings from major AI companies. The pan-European STOXX 600 slid 0.7 percent, with semiconductor firms ASML and ASMI dropping nearly 3 percent. Brent crude hit a five-month high above $111 a barrel after Yemen's Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi targets, while French stocks fell almost 1 percent amid protests over budget deficit concerns. Investors await results from AI heavyweights like Meta and Tesla later this week, questioning whether AI capital spending yields returns. Gold slipped 0.4 percent, bitcoin fell 0.7 percent, and the Canadian dollar strengthened after Alberta voted to remain part of Canada.