FX.co ★ European Stocks Hold Near Records

The Stoxx 50 traded flat to slightly higher on Friday, hovering near record highs and heading for a fourth consecutive weekly gain. By contrast, the Stoxx 600 was little changed on the day but remained on course for a modest weekly decline.

Investors continued to weigh stalled diplomatic efforts to resolve the US–Iran conflict, with shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz still constrained. At the same time, sentiment was bolstered by renewed interest in artificial intelligence stocks and easing US inflation, which reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at its meeting next month.

Most heavyweight names traded lower, including ASML Holding, HSBC, Novartis and Roche, which slipped between 0.2% and 0.9%. In contrast, technology shares regained momentum after last month’s selloff, supported by solid earnings from key players. SAP climbed nearly 5%, while Amadeus IT rose more than 2%. Shell also advanced more than 0.5% as oil prices moved higher.