Author: Fiona Craig

European equities tumbled on Friday, echoing overnight declines on Wall Street as concerns over the financial health of U.S. regional banks rippled through global markets. Investors are also bracing for the release of key eurozone inflation figures.

At 07:10 GMT, the DAX in Germany was down 2%, the CAC 40 in France dropped 1.1%, and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. fell 1.5%.

U.S. markets closed lower on Thursday, dragged down by a sharp selloff in financial stocks late in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 300 points, or 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite ended the day down 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively.

Banking Sector Under Pressure

The European banking sector came under renewed scrutiny after U.S. lenders Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION), Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF), and Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) revealed a string of problematic loans on Thursday, heightening concerns over credit risk.

The U.S. regional banking system has experienced several high-profile failures since 2023, and the latest developments have once again raised questions about the resilience of the sector. More regional banks, including Comerica (NYSE:CMA) and Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB), are scheduled to report earnings later today.

In Europe, Norion Bank posted a 10% year-on-year rise in third-quarter net profit and announced plans for a new share buyback program.

Eurozone Inflation in the Spotlight

Investors are also awaiting confirmation of September’s consumer price inflation data for the eurozone, which is expected to come in at 2.2% annually, in line with the flash estimate and just above the European Central Bank’s 2% medium-term target.

The ECB has lowered rates by two percentage points between 2023 and June 2025 but has since held steady, arguing that inflation is now close to target. Markets widely expect the central bank to keep rates unchanged at its upcoming policy meeting at the end of the month.

Political Tensions in France

French politics remain tense after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes on Thursday, easing the risk of snap elections but weakening the government of President Emmanuel Macron. To maintain stability, Macron was forced to delay his flagship economic reform until after the 2027 presidential election.

Auditors warned that pushing back the reform could leave a €13 billion annual shortfall in public finances by 2035 if no changes are made after 2027.

Corporate News

In company updates, Pearson PLC (LSE:PSON) posted a 4% rise in third-quarter sales, bringing year-to-date growth to 2%. The education company expects stronger performance in the fourth quarter, driven by favorable unit dynamics and its expanding digital offerings.

Volvo Group (BIT:1VOLC) reported third-quarter operating earnings in line with expectations, though weaker demand in the Americas weighed on results.

Hermès (EU:RMS) confirmed the departure of Véronique Nichanian, its menswear artistic director, after 37 years with the brand. Meanwhile, German newspaper Bild reported that the supervisory board of Porsche AG (TG:PAH3) has agreed on a successor to CEO Oliver Blume.

Oil Prices Ease as Peace Talks Loom

Crude prices slipped on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet to discuss a potential resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Brent Crude futures were down 0.8% at $60.60 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures also dropped 0.8% to $57.01. Both benchmarks were down nearly 3% for the week, touching their lowest levels since early May, as the planned peace summit in Budapest added to downward pressure.

Concerns over weakening demand, a potential oversupply, and rising U.S. crude inventories have also weighed on oil markets.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

EssilorLuxottica (EU:EL), the maker of Ray-Ban eyewear, saw its shares soar to a record high on Friday, climbing more than 10% after reporting a blowout third quarter. Strong demand for its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses helped the company beat sales forecasts and deliver its best quarterly results ever.

The Franco-Italian group posted third-quarter revenue of €6.9 billion ($8.1 billion), up 11.7% year-on-year and well above market expectations. According to Chief Financial Officer Stefano Grassi, the AI-powered glasses contributed more than four percentage points to the company’s overall sales growth. He added that demand has been so strong that EssilorLuxottica is bringing forward its production capacity expansion plans.

By 07:54 GMT, the company’s stock had jumped 11.7% to €308, on track for its biggest single-day gain in over eight years—adding nearly €15 billion to its €126.1 billion market capitalization.

In a note to clients, J.P. Morgan analysts said the smart glasses had become a “material growth driver,” while the company’s traditional eyewear business remained solid. The latest Ray-Ban Meta models, priced between $379 and $799 for the flagship version with a built-in display, are currently available in select stores, with expansion to Canada, France, Italy, and the U.K. planned for early 2026.

Barclays analysts described smart glasses as potentially “the most disruptive innovation since mobile phones,” predicting global sales could reach 60 million units by 2035.

Meanwhile, Equita analysts raised their wearable revenue forecast, now expecting the product line to add around €1 billion to group sales this year.

“The acceleration in third-quarter revenues and the level of confidence expressed on fourth-quarter and mid-term prospects are an important indicator of the success of the group’s strategic drivers,” they wrote.

EssilorLuxottica shares have climbed 17% since the start of 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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Hermès (EU:RMS) has confirmed that Véronique Nichanian, its longtime artistic director for menswear, will be leaving the company after an impressive 37-year career.

Nichanian, 71, joined Hermès in 1988 and has shaped the brand’s men’s collections for over three decades. Her final runway show for the house is scheduled for January, marking the end of an era for the storied French luxury label.

News of her departure first appeared in the French newspaper Le Figaro before Hermès issued its official statement.

Over the course of her distinguished tenure, Nichanian became one of the longest-serving artistic directors in the high-end fashion world, leaving a lasting influence on modern menswear.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

European markets fell sharply on Friday, with banking shares dragging down the region’s main indices and setting them on course for their steepest single-day drop in six weeks. Investors moved toward traditional safe-haven assets such as gold, which remains at record highs.

In Milan, the FTSE MIB dropped more than 2% after the first hour of trading, while the FTSE Italia Banche banking index slid 2.6%. Among the biggest decliners were Bper Banca (BIT:BPE) (-3%), Banca Mediolanum (BIT:BMED) (-2.90%), Banca Popolare di Sondrio (BIT:BPSO) (-2.80%), Unipol (BIT:UNI) (-2.90%), Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (BIT:BMPS) (-2.80%), UniCredit (BIT:UCG) (-2.80%), Mediobanca (BIT:MB) (-2.40%), Banco BPM (BIT:BAMI) (-2.20%), and Intesa Sanpaolo (BIT:ISP) (-2.10%).

Losses were widespread across the continent. Deutsche Bank (TG:DBK) fell 5%, Société Générale (EU:GLE) 4.7%, Banco Santander (LSE:BNC) 4.2%, BNP Paribas (EU:BNP) 3.7%, Commerzbank (TG:CBK) 3.1%, Caixabank (USOTC:CIXPF) 3%, UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) 2.9%, Bankinter (TG:A19VVH) 2.6%, and HSBC Holdings plc (LSE:HSBA) 2%. Banco Sabadell (BIT:1SAB) plunged 6.5%, while BBVA (NYSE:BBVA) dropped 5% after the failure of its takeover bid.

The selloff was triggered by a sharp drop in U.S. regional bank stocks amid growing concerns over rising risks and weakening credit quality.

The KBW Regional Banking Index fell more than 6% after Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION) — down 13% on Thursday — reported a $50 million third-quarter loss tied to two loans made by its California unit. At the same time, Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) — down 11% yesterday — filed a fraud lawsuit against Cantor Group V, LLC.

This latest turmoil follows the recent collapses of First Brands and Tricolor, which exposed gaps in banks’ risk controls and in the opaque credit market, where complex loan structures have made it harder to assess borrowers’ exposure. Those failures forced many debt investors to cut exposure to sectors tied to consumer and auto lending.

Some analysts, however, argue that these problems are unlikely to pose systemic risks, even if they weigh on sentiment in the near term.

“While substantial, the scale of NPLs is unlikely to in itself pose a risk to the system as a whole,” said Kyle Rodda, senior financial analyst at Capital.com, who attributed the issues to “lax lending standards and fraud, which have fueled fears that such behavior is endemic and could lead to further defaults.”

“This is an area where investors, especially new ones, tend to ‘sell now and ask questions later,’” wrote JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a note.

Analysts Anthony Elian and Michael Pietrini also questioned “why all these ‘isolated’ credit episodes seem to be occurring in such a short period.”

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Wishbone Gold Plc (LSE:WSBN) has provided an update on its Red Setter Gold Dome Project in Western Australia, located near the Telfer gold mine. The company has completed diamond drilling on a 950-meter hole and is set to begin reverse circulation drilling on October 21. With the arrival of a new drill rig, exploration activity will be accelerated, targeting shallower copper-gold intercepts. This expansion of drilling efforts is expected to strengthen Wishbone’s exploration capacity and enhance its strategic positioning within the gold mining sector.

More about Wishbone Gold

Wishbone Gold Plc is a mining company focused on gold exploration and development. Its core asset is the Red Setter Gold Dome Project in Western Australia, where it is advancing exploration to uncover new mineral resources and expand its project pipeline.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Tower Resources plc (LSE:TRP) has secured £550,000 through a subscription of 1,964,285,714 ordinary shares issued at a discounted price. The proceeds will be used to fund working capital and commitments related to the company’s exploration licenses, including data acquisition activities in Namibia. The capital raise will increase Tower’s share capital base and supports its preparations for upcoming drilling operations in Cameroon while continuing its work program in Namibia. This initiative aligns with the company’s strategy to maintain operational momentum and project readiness across its African portfolio.

More about Tower Resources

Tower Resources plc is an AIM-listed energy company focused on developing a balanced portfolio of oil and gas opportunities in Africa. Its primary activities include short-cycle development and production projects in Cameroon, along with seismic data acquisition programs in Namibia and South Africa aimed at de-risking exploration assets in emerging hydrocarbon provinces.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Jubilee Metals Group (LSE:JLP) has reported significant progress in the sale of its South African Chrome and PGM operations, having already secured shareholder approval and received the first tranche of $15 million. The company is now working to meet the remaining conditions for completion, including clearance from the South African Competition Commission and submission of audited accounts. Although chrome and PGM output declined due to the end of a supply contract, increased production from other sites has helped offset the impact. In addition, Jubilee reported a notable reduction in its Lost Time Frequency Injury Rate, reflecting stronger safety performance.

The company’s outlook is supported by growth potential from its Zambian copper strategy and improved operational efficiency. However, narrowing profit margins and rising leverage pose financial challenges. While recent strategic developments are positive, technical indicators suggest a cautious near-term market stance.

More about Jubilee Metals Group

Jubilee Metals Group PLC is engaged in copper production in Zambia and operates chrome and platinum group metals (PGM) projects in South Africa. Its portfolio includes the production of chrome concentrate and PGMs such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and gold, positioning the company as a diversified metals producer with exposure to key industrial and precious metal markets.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

ECR Minerals PLC (LSE:ECR) has completed its 2025 drilling program at the Lolworth Project in North Queensland, confirming the presence of gold and silver-bearing veins. The company is also advancing alluvial gold operations at the Blue Mountain Project and working toward the acquisition of the Raglan Project, which is expected to support near-term production. These milestones mark a strategic shift for ECR Minerals as it progresses from exploration toward production, aiming to generate revenue and unlock operational synergies across its portfolio.

More about ECR Minerals

ECR Minerals PLC is a gold exploration and development company with a strong focus on Australia. Its primary activities involve exploring and developing gold and rare earth element projects, particularly alluvial gold operations in Queensland. The company’s strategy centers on advancing high-potential assets to position itself as an emerging gold producer.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Man Group plc (LSE:EMG) has announced that its assets under management (AUM) rose to $213.9 billion as of 30 September 2025, up from $193.3 billion at the end of June. The increase was fueled by both net inflows and positive investment performance across multiple strategies, including systematic and discretionary long-only approaches. This milestone underscores the company’s strong market positioning and performance within the alternative investment sector, reinforcing its appeal to investors and stakeholders.

Man Group continues to deliver solid financial results, supported by strong revenue and cash flow generation and a healthy balance sheet. Its valuation remains attractive, with a low P/E ratio and a high dividend yield. While increased costs and some strategy-specific challenges were highlighted during the earnings call, the record AUM reflects strategic momentum. Technical indicators currently point to a neutral market sentiment.

More about Man Group plc

Man Group is a leading global alternative investment management firm headquartered in London, overseeing $213.9 billion in assets. The company focuses on systematic, discretionary, and solutions-based investment strategies across both public and private markets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Man Group is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Steppe Cement Ltd (LSE:STCM) has reported a 21% year-on-year revenue increase for Q3 2025, supported by higher sales volumes and price gains in local currency. Although domestic cement demand has risen, competitive pressures and higher transportation costs have kept producer prices stable. To enhance financial flexibility, the company plans to restructure an inter-company loan into a publicly listed bond, providing additional capacity for future growth projects. In a further positive development, Steppe Cement resolved a tax dispute with Kazakh authorities in its favor, strengthening its operational position.

Steppe Cement’s outlook benefits from solid technical indicators and healthy cash flow generation. However, valuation concerns remain, with a high P/E ratio and margin pressures weighing on overall performance. A strong dividend yield helps balance some of these headwinds.

More about Steppe Cement

Steppe Cement Ltd operates in the cement sector, focusing on the production and sale of cement to the Kazakh market. The company is listed on AIM, part of the London Stock Exchange, and plays a key role in supplying materials to support infrastructure and construction demand in Kazakhstan.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.