European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were trending sharply higher late Wednesday morning, rising 1.72% to 1,443.47 on the S&P Europe Select ADR Index.

From continental Europe, the gainers were led by biopharmaceutical company Grifols (GRFS) and financial services company Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), which rose 5.2% and 4.6% respectively. They were followed by biopharmaceutical company Genfit (GNFT) and financial services company ING Groep (ING), which were up 4.3% and 4.1% respectively.

The decliners from continental Europe were led by accommodations booking site trivago (TRVG) and furniture maker Natuzzi (NTZ), which dropped 5.4% and 2.8% respectively. They were followed by petroleum refiner Equinor (EQNR) and biotech firm Evaxion Biotech (EVAX), which were down 1.2% and 0.5% respectively.

From the UK and Ireland, the gainers were led by biotech company Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) and alcoholic beverage company Diageo (DEO), which climbed 8.6% and 4.9% respectively. They were followed by insurance provider Prudential (PUK) and biopharmaceutical company Adaptimmune Therapeutics (ADAP), which increased 4.6% each.

The decliners from the UK and Ireland were led by biopharmaceutical company TC Biopharm (TCBP) and utilities company National Grid (NGG), which fell 8.2% and 2.5% respectively. They were followed by educational publisher Pearson (PSO) and hospitality company InterContinental Hotels (IHG), which lost 1.8% and 0.6% respectively.