FX.co ★ European Stocks Lower to End the Week

European stocks slipped on Friday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 down about 0.1%, as investors balanced rising oil prices—driven by mounting tensions in the Middle East—against a new round of corporate earnings. At the same time, flash PMI figures revealed an unexpected contraction in France’s private-sector activity. Shares in SAAB gained 1.5% after the defence group posted better-than-forecast earnings and revenue, helped by a deal to supply Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. By contrast, Volvo Cars tumbled nearly 25% following a steep drop in its sales in China. Over the week, the EURO STOXX 50 declined roughly 1.9%, while the STOXX Europe 600 shed about 1%.