European markets halted a three-week rally after policymakers signaled enthusiasm about a rate cut that may be misplaced. Consumer price inflation in the eurozone was confirmed at 2.4% in April. France's jobless rate held steady at 7.5%, matching rates in the previous two quarters. 

European markets hovered near record highs set in the previous session after rate-cut speculation extended week's gains. The price of copper reached a new 3-year high on the expectation of demand growth fueled by new data centers. 

The Eurozone GDP in the first quarter rebounded after contracting in two previous quarters in a row; industrial production eased in March; and employment in the first quarter expanded at a slower pace. 

European market indexes traded around the flatline, bond yields advanced, and the euro gained in international trading. Germany's consumer price inflation was confirmed at 2.2%, and UK wages rose faster than the inflation rate for the tenth month in a row. 

European markets hovered near record highs and bond yields advanced after interest rate cut expectations lifted indexes for the third consecutive week. 

European markets advanced more than 3% this week in hopes of rate cuts in the eurozone and the U.K. following the dovish guidance from the Bank of England.

European markets paused a 4-day rally, and benchmark indexes in Paris, London, and Frankfurt hovered near record highs. The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates amid elevated food and service sector inflation. Resource stocks advanced after China's imports rose in April.



The eurozone jobless rate held steady at a record low for the third month in a row in March. France's industrial output declined in March due to a weakness in the manufacturing sector. The UK's service sector growth accelerated in April. 

European markets traded sideways amid rate uncertainties and ongoing weakness in the manufacturing sector. The euro held firm, and bond yields in the eurozone edged slightly lower.

The benchmark index in London advanced, while financial markets in Europe were closed to celebrate May Day. Bond yields held firm, and crude oil prices eased in London trading. 

Euro Area inflation held steady in April after the core rate of inflation declined for the ninth month in a row. GDP in the eurozone rose at a faster-than-anticipated pace in the first quarter after suffering a mild technical recession in the previous quarter.

The Euro Area economic sentiment indicator worsened after the outlook for manufacturing, retail, and construction activities weakened in April. Spain's consumer price index accelerated in April after food and energy prices rose at a faster pace than a year ago.

European markets extended weekly gains amid mixed corporate quarterly results. France's consumer confidence index edged lower in April. Eurozone household lending growth dropped to a nine-year low. 

European markets traded sideways as investors reviewed the latest batch of mixed corporate results. France's manufacturing confidence index hovered near its five-year average, and Germany's forward-looking consumer morale index slightly improved but stayed well below its long-term average. 



Market averages in Europe edged slightly higher after new doubts emerged about the number of interest rate cuts in the year. Mixed quarterly corporate earnings also capped market gains.