European shares closed higher on Thursday as investors took in stride a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report, with bank stocks leading gains as focus remained on a potential trade deal between the European Union and the United States.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index (.STOXX), closed 0.5% higher, in tandem with a 0.9% rise in the U.S. S&P 500 (.SPX), Germany's DAX (.GDAXI), advanced 0.6%, while France's CAC 40 (.FCHI), added 0.2%.
U.S. job growth was unexpectedly solid in June, with the nonfarm payrolls reading shooting above market estimates for the month.
"Today's good news should be treated as such by the markets, with equities rising despite the accompanying pickup in interest rates," said Jeff Schulze, head of economic and market strategy at ClearBridge Investments.
U.S. interest rate futures show traders betting on a September start to Federal Reserve rate cuts and a total of just two quarter-point reductions by yearend, not the three rate cuts that they had favoured prior to the data.
Banks (.SX7P), were the biggest boost to the STOXX 600, with British lenders Natwest and Lloyds (LLOY.L), leading the charge at a more than 3% rise each.
British stocks, bonds and the pound stabilised after losses on Wednesday as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office rushed to give finance minister Rachel Reeves his full backing after she appeared in tears in parliament.
Source: Reuters
European markets opened lower on Tuesday (November 18th) as global markets weakened amid renewed concerns over AI-related stocks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was trading nearly 1.2% lower shortly afte...
On Tuesday morning, November 18, 2025, sentiment on Asian markets remained cautious following a sharp decline on Wall Street and concerns about the Fed's interest rate direction. Most indexes in the r...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hit another weak patch on Monday, backsliding nearly 500 points and slipping back below the 47,000 handle to start the new trading week with many of the same qu...
The three major stock averages in the US swung around the flatline on Monday, as investors braced for the resumption of economic data releases from major statistical agencies following the end of last...
Asian stock markets opened cautiously at the start of the week, with the MSCI Asia Pacific index rising slightly by 0.2%. The Kospi led the gains, while Japan's Nikkei index fell 0.5% after data showe...
Initial jobless claims in the United States reached 232,000 for the week ending October 18, according to data from the US Department of Labor website. This represents a slight increase compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, continuing claims,...
Gold prices fell to their lowest in more than a week on Tuesday (November 18th) as fading bets on a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next month weighed on demand ahead of the release of delayed US economic data this week. Spot gold fell 0.3% to...
Silver gained slightly during the European session on Tuesday (November 18th), driven by safe-haven demand amidst the economy and investor confidence in the possibility of a Fed interest rate cut. Rising gold prices also supported silver, as many...
Asian stock markets opened cautiously at the start of the week, with the MSCI Asia Pacific index rising slightly by 0.2%. The Kospi led the gains,...
The three major stock averages in the US swung around the flatline on Monday, as investors braced for the resumption of economic data releases from...
Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said on Monday the U.S. central bank needs to "proceed slowly" with any further interest rate cuts as it...
The global geopolitical situation is once again showing signs of escalation, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. A ship collision between the...