Insightful Word
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Politics
No Result
View All Result
Insightful Word
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Europe markets open: FTSE 100 poised higher; focus on UK amid European closures

admin by admin
May 1, 2025
in Politics
0
Europe markets open: FTSE 100 poised higher; focus on UK amid European closures
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

London’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open higher on Thursday, looking to extend an impressive winning streak, while most other major European stock exchanges remain closed for the May 1 public holiday.

Trading activity across the region will consequently be subdued, placing the UK market firmly in the spotlight.

Despite the closure of markets in Germany, France, and Italy, early indications point to a positive start for the UK benchmark.

The FTSE 100 finished Wednesday’s session with a 0.37% gain, marking its thirteenth consecutive positive closing day – the longest such run for the index since a period spanning late 2016 into early 2017.

This resilience comes even as broader European markets navigate mixed economic signals and ongoing corporate earnings reports.

Europe’s regional Stoxx 600 index managed to end Wednesday in positive territory, absorbing the impact of news that the US economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter.

Navigating economic crosscurrents and tariff fog

Sentiment in the region received some support from better-than-expected domestic data earlier in the week, showing the Eurozone economy grew by 0.4% in the first quarter, surpassing forecasts and providing a welcome contrast to the US GDP figures.

However, the broader picture for European stocks in the recently concluded month of April was less rosy.

Lingering concerns over the impact of US tariff policies weighed on sentiment, causing the Stoxx 600 to lose 1.2% over the month, although this was an improvement from a steeper 4.2% decline witnessed in March.

Earnings season: banks shine, caution prevails

The ongoing first-quarter earnings season has been a key focus for investors this week, offering insights into corporate health amidst the uncertain environment.

A distinct theme has emerged: while many companies across various sectors have flagged significant uncertainty and potential price pressures linked to US tariffs in their outlooks, several major banks, including UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Barclays, reported results that beat analyst expectations, particularly driven by strong investment banking performance.

Strategist view: defensive positioning favored

This divergence between cautious industrial outlooks and resilient banking performance informs current market strategy.

Max Kettner, chief multi-asset strategist at HSBC, suggested that banks globally still appear relatively well-positioned.

Speaking to CNBC’s ‘Europe Early Edition’ on Thursday, he noted, “…those growth risks that’s we’re facing now that are centered around the US, that should be helping European financials.”

However, Kettner advised a generally defensive posture given the prevailing uncertainties.

“Overall it is still time to play defense, particularly in the US, the likes of small caps, consumer cyclicals are the ones you really want to avoid, go more toward the defensives, your staples, your health-care, your utilities,” he recommended.

Positive lead from US tech earnings

Providing a supportive overnight cue for the London open, US stock futures ticked higher early Thursday.

This followed well-received earnings reports from technology giants Meta Platforms and Microsoft after the US market closed Wednesday, suggesting continued strength in the crucial Big Tech sector despite broader economic concerns.

With most of continental Europe offline for the holiday, trading volumes are expected to be light, potentially leading to more pronounced moves in the active UK market as it digests domestic news and the residual impact of global developments.

The post Europe markets open: FTSE 100 poised higher; focus on UK amid European closures appeared first on Invezz

Previous Post

Why the Starbucks CEO still backs SBUX stock despite earnings slump

Next Post

Qualcomm’s revenue diversification could drive stock higher, says JPM analyst

admin

admin

Next Post
Qualcomm’s revenue diversification could drive stock higher, says JPM analyst

Qualcomm’s revenue diversification could drive stock higher, says JPM analyst

Trending News

Xpeng to mass produce flying cars in 2026

Xpeng to mass produce flying cars in 2026

March 10, 2025
Domino’s fourth quarter: can pizza giant deliver growth amid international headwinds?

Domino’s fourth quarter: can pizza giant deliver growth amid international headwinds?

February 22, 2025
China-EU team to continue talks after bloc’s ruling on Chinese EVs, state media reports

China-EU team to continue talks after bloc’s ruling on Chinese EVs, state media reports

October 9, 2024
Subscribe to Insightful Word


    Recent News

    Brazilian meat giant JBS clears path for US listing with Dutch-based holding structure

    Brazilian meat giant JBS clears path for US listing with Dutch-based holding structure

    May 24, 2025
    What made Oklo stock soar 20% on Friday?

    What made Oklo stock soar 20% on Friday?

    May 24, 2025
    These 2 ‘overvalued’ US tech stocks could rip higher in the second half of 2025

    These 2 ‘overvalued’ US tech stocks could rip higher in the second half of 2025

    May 24, 2025
    “No chance” iPhones can be made in the US, analysts say — options Apple could explore instead to tackle tariffs

    “No chance” iPhones can be made in the US, analysts say — options Apple could explore instead to tackle tariffs

    May 24, 2025

    Recent News

    Brazilian meat giant JBS clears path for US listing with Dutch-based holding structure

    Brazilian meat giant JBS clears path for US listing with Dutch-based holding structure

    May 24, 2025
    What made Oklo stock soar 20% on Friday?

    What made Oklo stock soar 20% on Friday?

    May 24, 2025

    Latest News

    • Brazilian meat giant JBS clears path for US listing with Dutch-based holding structure
    • What made Oklo stock soar 20% on Friday?
    • These 2 ‘overvalued’ US tech stocks could rip higher in the second half of 2025

    About Insightful Word

    • Contacts
    • Cookie Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Trading tools
    • Contacts
    • Cookie Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Trading tools

    Copyright © 2025 Insightfulword.com. All Rights Reserved.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Investing
    • Stock
    • Economy
    • Politics

    Copyright © 2025 Insightfulword.com. All Rights Reserved.