European markets traded down amid rising tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty related to the U.S. port workers strike. Eurozone private sector activities contracted for the first time in seven months. Swiss consumer price inflation dropped to a three-year low.

European market indexes wavered amid rising fears of a wider war in the Middle East, which could potentially disrupt international trade in crude oil and manufactured goods. The jobless rate in the Euro Area held steady at a record low in August. 

Eurozone inflation fell at a faster-than-expected pace in September, driven by a sharp decline in energy prices. Manufacturing woes deepened in the Euro Area as producers struggled with easing growth in orders and output. 

European bond yields edged higher despite the cooling of inflation in the region. Italy reported cooler inflation in September, after France and Spain confirmed weakening inflation last week. 

Market indexes in Frankfurt and Paris extended their weekly gains to 4% and in London gained 1% amid Chinese leaders pledge of significant fiscal measures following the raft of monetary measures earlier in the week.

BASF announced its plans to lower dividend payments over the next four years. Commerzbank estimated higher profit over the next three years. SMA Solar announced a companywide restructuring. H&M quarterly results fell short of expectations.

The Swiss National Bank lowered its lending rate for the third time in a row and said additional cuts are likely. The overall lending growth to households and non-financial corporations in the eurozone accelerated in August.



Luxury stocks and vehicle markers advanced for the second consecutive day after China announced more stimulus measures. Rightmove's board rejected the revised offer from Australia's REA Group. Valmet, the Finnish engineering company, won a billion euro order from Brazil. 

European markets advanced after the People's Bank of China announced a broad range of economic stimulus measures to revive faltering economic growth and support weak property markets. 

Business activities in the European Union contracted for the fourth month in a row amid persistent weakness in the manufacturing sector. Germany's SDP narrowly won an election in the Brandenburg state.

European markets trimmed weekly gains after luxury goods and vehicle makers with significant exposure to China led the decliners. Germany's producer price inflation extended its yearlong decline in August, and the UK's retail sales accelerated after warmer weather boosted demand for food and apparel. 

European markets advanced after the Federal Reserve cut its lending rate range by 50 basis points. The Bank of England and the Norges Bank held steady their interest rate range. 

European markets struggled to advance and traded in a tight range ahead of rate decisions from major central banks. Consumer price inflation in the eurozone was confirmed, and in the UK it held steady at 2.2%.

European markets advanced ahead of rate decisions from major central banks later in the week. German investor sentiment dropped to an 11-month low amid faltering economic recovery and growing problems in the automobile sector. 



European markets struggled to advance as investors anticipated monetary policy decisions from several major central banks this week.