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LONDON, Jan 25 Reuters Earnings from major European companies on Wednesday offered some reasons for optimism about the region39;s corporate health, even as investors worry about the slowing global economy.

Fourthquarter earnings from ASML Holding NV exceeded expectations and the Dutch technology company, Europe39;s largest, forecast a rise of more than 25 in 2023 sales despite possible new curbs on exports to China.

CEO Peter Wennink said that although economic uncertainty and growing semiconductor inventories were clouding the outlook, customers see conditions improving towards the end of the year and China39;s economy recovering after COVID19 curbs were ended.

That means that the demand is still higher than what we can make, he said. Shares in ASML were lower after the results, having rallied recently to hit their highest since last April.

Shares in budget airline easyJet EZJ.L shot up more than 10 to their highest since June after it said it expected to beat market expectations this year based on the strength of bookings into summer.

Rivals Ryanair, Wizz Air and BAowner IAG got a lift too, as investors cheered the latest evidence that people will not sacrifice their holidays even as doubledigit inflation leaves them with less money to spend.

Helped by strong…