Benchmark indexes in Europe trimmed weekly gains amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties and chaotic U.S. trade policy. The euro logged its best weekly gains after the ECB signaled slower rate decreases and a resurgent inflation in the U.S.
The widely anticipated rate cut by the European Central Bank was the sixth since the current rate-cutting cycle began in May 2024. Retail sales in the eurozone rose at a slower pace in January.
European markets jumped after German political leaders agreed to set up a 500 billion fund to finance infrastructure spending and arms production to support Ukraine.
European markets dropped between 1% and 4% as investors weighed the prospects of a global trade war after the U.S. slapped tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China.
European markets advanced after defense stocks surged, and European leaders reiterated their commitment to expand their military support to Ukraine. Eurozone inflation eased, and the contraction in the manufacturing sector slowed in February.
European stock market indexes struggled to stay above the flatline after a week of trading. Inflation in Germany stayed above 2% and in France dropped to a four-year low amid weakening energy prices. The house price index in the UK advanced for the sixth consecutive month in February.
The Euro Area's economic sentiment rebounded to a five-month high in February amid softening pessimism among industrial goods producers. Swiss GDP growth accelerated in 2024. Spain's consumer price inflation rose to an eight-month high of 3% in February.
European markets lacked direction, and defense stocks extended recent gains amid rising possibilities of higher government spending in the region. Passenger car sales continued to struggle in January amid weakness in France, Germany, and Italy.
European stock market indexes trimmed weekly losses, and the eurozone business activity index edged up slightly in February. The annual pace of the UK's retail sales volumed slowed in February, due to ongoing weakness in non-food store sales.
European markets attempted to rebound from sharp losses in the previous session amid another batch of mixed earnings. Denmark's economy in the fourth quarter expanded at a faster pace than in the previous quarter.
European stock market indexes turned lower amid economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions. Bond yields in the eurozone advanced for the fourth consecutive session, and the UK's consumer price inflation accelerated in January.
European markets traded around recent highs despite lingering economic uncertainties. The UK jobless rate held steady at 4.4% in the fourth quarter. France's inflation accelerated to a five-month high in January.
European markets struggled in Friday's trading, but they are set to extend weekly gains by 2%. Germany's wholesale price inflation accelerated in January. Luxury stocks in Paris and Milan led the gainers after Hermes International reported an increase in profit in 2024.
