Market Update
EU Passenger Car Sales Rebounded In April, France's Inflation Eased, German Consumer Sentiment Index Improved
Bridgette Randall
27 May, 2025
London
European stock market indexes meandered for the second day in a row amid a lack of fresh catalysts and earnings updates.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London edged higher but traded in a tight range as investors overlooked the threat of higher U.S. tariffs.
France's consumer price inflation unexpectedly weakened to 0.7% in April from 0.8% in March, according to a preliminary estimate by the statistical agency, INSEE.
The moderation in inflation was largely driven by a slower increase in transportation prices and a larger decline in communication prices.
The inflation rate dropped to the lowest level since February 2021.
Germany's forward-looking consumer sentiment index slightly improved for June, according to GfK Group.
The GfK Consumer Climate Indicator improved to -19.9 in June from 20.8 in the previous month, marking the third consecutive month of improvement and the highest reading since November 2024.
The uptick in consumer sentiment was largely driven by a sharp rise in economic expectations, which rose to a two-year high.
EU Passenger Car Registration Rebounded In April
Passenger car registration in the European Union rebounded despite the ongoing economic uncertainties.
Overall registration in the region increased 1.3% from a year ago to 925,359 units, driven by a 7.1% surge in Spain and a 2.7% rise in Italy.
However, registrations in the Netherlands fell 4%, in Germany decreased 2%, and in Belgium decreased 4.8%.
For the first four months, overall car registration declined by 1.2% from a year ago.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.06% to 24,042.92, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.1% to 7,817.75, and the FTSE 100 index advanced 0.6% to 8,773.97.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched lower to 2.53%, French bonds decreased to 3.20%, UK gilts moved down to 4.63%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.53%.
The euro decreased to $1.14; the British pound was lower at $1.35; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 82.28 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.07 to $64.60 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.03 to €37.15 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Defense stocks advanced and extended an eight-week rally.
Rheinmetall AG increased 2.2% to €1,880.50, Rolls Royce Holdings plc gained 2.6% to 858.20 pence, Safran SA edged up 0.4% to 258.10, and BAE Systems plc gained 2.9% to 1,895.50 pence.
Lundberg AB inched up 0.1% to 501 krona after the Swedish investment company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Net sales climbed to SEK 8.27 billion from SEK 7.98 billion, net profit declined to SEK 3.15 billion from SEK 4.33 billion, and earnings per share fell to SEK 12.71 from SEK 17.44 a year ago.
On March 31, net asset value after deferred tax amounted to SEK 140.0 billion, compared with SEK 137.6 billion on December 31, 2024, and the corresponding values on May 23 were SEK 138.1 billion.
Total assets at the end of the first quarter increased to SEK 230.31 billion from SEK 222.12 billion a year ago.
EU Passenger Car Sales Rebounded In April, France's Inflation Eased, German Consumer Sentiment Index Improved
Bridgette Randall
27 May, 2025
London
European stock market indexes meandered for the second day in a row amid a lack of fresh catalysts and earnings updates.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London edged higher but traded in a tight range as investors overlooked the threat of higher U.S. tariffs.
France's consumer price inflation unexpectedly weakened to 0.7% in April from 0.8% in March, according to a preliminary estimate by the statistical agency, INSEE.
The moderation in inflation was largely driven by a slower increase in transportation prices and a larger decline in communication prices.
The inflation rate dropped to the lowest level since February 2021.
Germany's forward-looking consumer sentiment index slightly improved for June, according to GfK Group.
The GfK Consumer Climate Indicator improved to -19.9 in June from 20.8 in the previous month, marking the third consecutive month of improvement and the highest reading since November 2024.
The uptick in consumer sentiment was largely driven by a sharp rise in economic expectations, which rose to a two-year high.
EU Passenger Car Registration Rebounded In April
Passenger car registration in the European Union rebounded despite the ongoing economic uncertainties.
Overall registration in the region increased 1.3% from a year ago to 925,359 units, driven by a 7.1% surge in Spain and a 2.7% rise in Italy.
However, registrations in the Netherlands fell 4%, in Germany decreased 2%, and in Belgium decreased 4.8%.
For the first four months, overall car registration declined by 1.2% from a year ago.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.06% to 24,042.92, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.1% to 7,817.75, and the FTSE 100 index advanced 0.6% to 8,773.97.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched lower to 2.53%, French bonds decreased to 3.20%, UK gilts moved down to 4.63%, and Italian bonds edged lower to 3.53%.
The euro decreased to $1.14; the British pound was lower at $1.35; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 82.28 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.07 to $64.60 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.03 to €37.15 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Defense stocks advanced and extended an eight-week rally.
Rheinmetall AG increased 2.2% to €1,880.50, Rolls Royce Holdings plc gained 2.6% to 858.20 pence, Safran SA edged up 0.4% to 258.10, and BAE Systems plc gained 2.9% to 1,895.50 pence.