The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was up 0.3 percent to 1,173.83 on a group of new quarterly results after having risen to 1,174.86 earlier in the day.

UCB, the Belgian pharmaceutical company, reported positive results from trials of the drug Cimzia in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, a disorder of the digestive tract. This result sent shares in UCB up 7 percent to €44.30.

In the technology sector, STMicroelectronics reported that its second quarter profits were down by 82 percent on weak sales and high restructuring costs. The report sent shares in the company down 2.6 percent to €14.38.

Others in the sector didn’t do any better on the day as Infineon was down 2.9 percent to €8.11 and ASML Holding lost 1.7 percent to €14.38. Nokia had a good day, however, gaining 1.6 percent to €13.10.

European aerospace and defense group EADS reported €1.54 billion in first-half core earnings, a jump of 57 percent. Shares were up 3.3 percent to €27.65. EADS also raised its per share earnings target for the year from €1.36 to €1.5.

Also reporting quarterly earnings was DSM, the Dutch chemicals group. It said its quarterly profits rose 43 percent to €217 million on lower costs, higher margins, and a strategic acquisition. Shares in DSM were up 2.5 percent on the day to €62.35.