European equities edged higher on Tuesday, recovering earlier losses after softer-than-expected US inflation data pushed sovereign bond yields lower across major economies. The Euro STOXX 50 added 0.2% to close at 6,283, while the STOXX Europe 600 gained 0.1% to finish at 642. Both headline and core US inflation eased more than forecast in June, effectively ruling out a Federal Reserve rate hike this month and providing relief to bond markets worldwide. The resulting improvement in financing conditions lent support to Europe’s largest corporates.
Financials were among the main beneficiaries, with BNP Paribas, ING, and Deutsche Bank each gaining more than 1%. Utilities and power infrastructure names also advanced, supported by a rebound in AI-related stocks and investor interest in companies tied to AI infrastructure. Schneider Electric rose 1.7%, while Siemens Energy climbed 3%. In the semiconductor space, ASML added 0.7% ahead of its earnings release scheduled for tomorrow.