Europe Markets

Bridgette Randall
02 Apr, 2025
London

European markets continued to slide amid worries of escalating trade war with the U.S. and persistent economic weakness in the region. 

Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London declined between 0.3% and 1.0%, and investors are adjusting corporate earnings and economic growth expectations for the first quarter.

The DAX index soared 12% in the first quarter, the CAC-40 index advanced 5.7%, and the FTSE 100 index gained 3.8%. 

However, market indexes have been under pressure since mid-February amid soft economic data, lackluster corporate earnings, and an escalating trade war with the U.S.

German stocks rallied over the last month after lawmakers in a historic decision lifted the debt ceiling to accelerate infrastructure spending and finance rearmament in the European Union. 

On the economic front, Spain's registered jobless people decreased by 13,311 from the previous month to 2.58 million in March, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security. 

From a year ago, the number of registered jobless people decreased by 146,900, and inclement weather played a role in keeping the net new jobs from increasing at a faster pace. 

Net formal jobs increased by 23,079 to 21.5 million, the ministry added in the report.  

 

Europe Indexes and Yields

The DAX index decreased by 0.7% to 22,388.63, the CAC-40 index edged lower 0.5% to 7,835.11, and the FTSE 100 index declined by 0.3% to 8,610.27.

The yield on 10-year German bonds inched lower to 2.67%, French bonds decreased to 3.39%, the UK gilts moved down to 4.64%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.79%.

The euro decreased to $1.08; the British pound was lower at $1.29; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 88.45 Swiss cents.

Brent crude decreased $0.30 to $74.19 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.01 to €42.68 per MWh.

 

Europe Movers

Svitzer Group soared 31% to DKK 281.70, and A.P. Moeller Holding proposed to acquire the remaining stake in the marine service provider. 

Grafton Group decreased 1.3% to 852.10 pence, and the distributor of building materials said that it has agreed to acquire the Irish unit of HSS Hire Group for €31.6 million on a cash and debt-free basis.

Fuchs SE decreased 2.2% to €32.95, and the German manufacturer of lubricants and specialty products agreed to acquire the U.S.-based IRMCO Advanced Lubricant Technologies for an undisclosed amount.

Nordex SE advanced 3% to €14.86, and the German wind turbine manufacturer said it received two orders totaling 750 MW from a wind energy project developer in Türkiye.