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July 23 (Reuters) - European shares edged lower on Thursday, weighed down by technology stocks following quarterly results from U.S. giant Alphabet, while markets assessed the Middle East conflict ahead of the European Central Bank's policy meeting.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX slipped 0.5% to 643.47 points by 0705 GMT.

Tech stocks .SX8P slipped 2.7% on Thursday, with STMicroelectronics STMPA.PA leading declines with a 15% drop after the chipmaker forecast a third-quarter revenue with a midpoint slightly below market expectations.

BE Semiconductor Industries BESI.AS lost 4.6% after its second-quarter results.

Alphabet on Wednesday increased its capital spending plans for 2026 by $15 billion, adding to doubts whether the AI investments materialise into returns.

The STOXX 600 energy index .SXEP rose 0.6% as Brent crude futures LCOc1 rose to over $96 per barrel after the U.S. launched a new round of strikes on Iran and Yemen's Houthis targeted oil tankers in the Red Sea, widening the scope of a conflict that has upended the global rates outlook. O/R

Earnings in Europe were in full swing with markets assessing reports from Nestle NESN.S and TotalEnergies TTEF.PA.

The ECB's policy decision is in focus on Thursday, with the central bank widely expected to keep rates unchanged.