European shares mostly climbed on Thursday, breaking a four-day losing streak fueled by renewed optimism surrounding a potential trade agreement between the United States and the European Union.
The EU is preparing to impose tariffs on $84 billion (72 billion euros) worth of U.S. imports if the trade talks fail to reach a deal.
On the economic front, UK unemployment unexpectedly ticked up to 4.7% in the three months through May, slightly above forecasts that had predicted it would hold steady at 4.6%. Meanwhile, wage growth eased to 5% from 5.3%, raising speculation that the Bank of England might consider cutting interest rates in its upcoming meeting.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rebounded 0.7% after a 0.6% drop the previous day, weighed down by disappointing earnings from companies like ASML Holdings and Renault.
In individual markets, the UK’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.3%, while France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX both gained 0.9%.
On the corporate front, Swatch Group (BIT:1UHR) shares climbed after the luxury watchmaker signaled that the recent downturn in demand from China may be stabilizing, despite reporting declines in sales and profits.
Industrial technology firm ABB (TG:ABJ) saw its stock surge, buoyed by record-breaking order intake and improved profit margins in Q2 2025. Competitors Siemens and Schneider Electric also posted gains.
Online retailer and tech company Ocado (LSE:OCDO) soared following stronger-than-expected results for the first half of the year.
Conversely, EasyJet (LSE:EZJ) shares dropped after French air traffic control strikes and rising fuel costs hurt the airline’s quarterly results.
Advertising giant Publicis Groupe (EU:PUB) experienced volatility despite reporting solid second-quarter earnings and raising its growth outlook for the year.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Leave a Reply