LIVE MARKETS-EasyJet disappoints, Sage shines, ADP gets top court clearance

May 17 - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Helen Reid. Reach her on Messenger to share your thoughts on market moves: helen.reid.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net

EASYJET DISAPPOINTS, SAGE SHINES, ADP GETS TOP COURT CLEARANCE (0628 GMT)

EasyJet shares are likely to slide after the budget airline warned of a tough trading environment, saying revenue per seat in the second half would be down and capacity growth in 2020 would be at the lower end of its historic growth rates.

Software company Sage, on the other hand, delivered strong results and said revenue growth would be at the top end of its forecast.

A decision from France's top constitutional court to clear privatisation of airport operator ADP should boost the shares, although they could remain under pressure as opposition lawmakers seek a referendum to overturn the legislation. News of plans for a public vote sent the stock tanking last week.

French constitutional court clears ADP privatisation

Britain's easyJet warns of tough trading environment, revenues to be lower

Wagamama deal, pub openings boost Restaurant Group sales

UK software firm Sage expects revenue growth at top end of its forecast

Hikma backs annual outlook boosted by medicine demand

(Helen Reid)

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FUTURES SLIDE AS INVESTORS CURB THEIR ENTHUSIASM (0612 GMT)

It looks like all yesterday's enthusiasm has already faded, with futures sliding 0.3 to 0.5 percent in early trade.

The Chinese yuan sliding through the psychologically important 6.9/dollar level, and tech giant Baidu swinging to a loss for the first time since listing, could both be part of the drag on investor sentiment which was partly boosted yesterday by strong results from Walmart and Cisco.

An interesting investment story, Deliveroo says Amazon is leading a new $575 million Series G funding round alongside existing investors including T. Rowe Price and Fidelity Management.

Among results, luxury goods group Richemont provides an interesting read on the health of the Chinese consumer, saying sales of its watches and jewellery both grew by 10% in the year to end March with the Americas and Asia performing well.

Here are your morning headlines:

Richemont posts solid watch and jewellery sales for its full year

Credit Suisse sets up family office services unit for Greater China's rich

GSK and Novartis liniment marketing misled Australian consumers -court

BP faces investor push to beef up fight against climate change

UK's Deliveroo says Amazon heads latest funding round of $575 mln

French Naval Group would look at Thyssen's marine unit if it goes on sale-report

(Helen Reid)

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EUROPE HEADS FOR A GAIN ON THE WEEK (0533 GMT)

European shares are seen falling back this morning but should, disasters aside, hold on to a gain for the week as investors had a more sanguine reaction to an escalation of the U.S.-China trade war and less highly-valued European stocks started to look more attractive in times of stress than their expensive U.S. counterparts.

Asian shares were struggling to end a bleak week in the black as upbeat U.S. economic news and solid company earnings offered only a fleeting respite from the interminable Sino-U.S. trade dispute.

Financial spreadbetters expect London's FTSE to open 23 points lower at 7,331, Frankfurt's DAX to open 65 points lower at 12,246, and Paris' CAC to open 24 points lower at 5,424.

(Helen Reid)

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(Reporting by Helen Reid, Danilo Masoni, Josephine Mason and Thyagaraju Adinarayan)