Prime Highlight :
- European markets climbed to fresh record highs, driven by strong corporate earnings and encouraging economic data across the region.
- Technology and financial stocks led the rally, reflecting investor confidence in growth sectors and earnings momentum.
Key Facts :
- The STOXX 600 index rose 0.4%, while technology stocks jumped 1.8% and financial services shares gained 1.3%.
- ASML shares surged 5.2% to a record high, lifting its market value above $500 billion and boosting sentiment across semiconductor stocks.
Background :
European shares rose to a record high on Thursday, supported by strong corporate earnings and positive economic data that lifted investor confidence across the region. Technology and financial stocks led the market rally, showing investor confidence in earnings growth and a strong economy.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index climbed 0.4% by mid-morning trade. Technology stocks surged 1.8%, hovering at levels last seen in 2000, while financial services shares jumped 1.3%. The broad-based advance reflected renewed interest in growth sectors and steady performance from banks and asset managers.
Technology stocks gained strong momentum after Dutch chip equipment maker ASML saw its shares rise 5.2% to a record high, pushing its market value above $500 billion for the first time. The rally followed strong earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s leading producer of advanced AI chips, which boosted sentiment across the global semiconductor sector.
Market experts said Europe still has room to expand its role in artificial intelligence. Analysts noted that while the region trails others in AI infrastructure spending, European technology firms could play a larger role in future investment cycles.
Financial stocks also posted solid gains after upbeat earnings updates. British asset manager Schroders rose 7.8% after saying higher fees would lift annual profit above expectations. Switzerland’s Partners Group gained 5.8% after reporting $30 billion in new assets last year. Shares of Sweden’s Swedbank jumped 4.4% after U.S. authorities closed a long-running investigation into the bank.
Elsewhere, luxury stocks slipped despite strong sales updates, while energy shares edged lower due to softer oil prices.
Economic data added to the positive tone. Britain’s economy grew faster than expected in November, while Sweden’s inflation remained close to its central bank’s target. Analysts said the data showed steady momentum, even as growth may moderate later in the year.
Overall, strong earnings and encouraging data helped push European markets to fresh highs, reinforcing confidence in the region’s outlook.