FX.co ★ European Stocks Rise on Friday

The STOXX 50 saw an increase of 0.7%, while the STOXX 600 rose by 0.5% on Friday, maintaining the momentum from the previous session's upward movement. Despite these gains, market volatility remains high as investors continue to evaluate the ongoing trade conflict and its economic implications amid increasing tensions between the United States and China. In a move mirroring Washington, the European Union has temporarily halted its planned retaliatory tariffs for a similar 90-day period to encourage dialogue. Key sectors such as utilities, construction and materials, retail, and healthcare were the top performers, whereas sectors like oil and gas, insurance, automobiles, and financial services experienced declines. On the corporate side, Novartis shares increased by approximately 2.6% following the announcement of a $23 billion investment in the United States. Conversely, Stellantis shares decreased by 1.5% after reporting a 9% year-over-year drop in first-quarter vehicle shipments. For the week, the overall trend remains negative, with the STOXX 50 declining by 1.2% and the STOXX 600 falling by 1.8%.