FX.co ★ European Stocks Close Higher

European stock markets finished the day on a strong note on Monday, as investors considered the outlook for interest rates across the region alongside the latest news from the corporate sector. The STOXX 50 index rose by 0.9%, closing at 5,367 points, while the wider STOXX 600 index increased by 0.6%, reaching 553 points. Major banks saw significant gains due to a narrowing of yield spreads among Eurozone countries, easing concerns about market fragmentation, particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated dissolution of the French parliament. Prime Minister François Bayrou is expected to face a loss in today's confidence vote following the rejection of the current budget proposal by the government, adding a layer of political uncertainty and potentially boosting national deficits. Shares of Santander, ING, and Nordea climbed by over 1%. ASML experienced a 2.5% surge, underpinned by positive developments in the global semiconductor sector and an announcement that it will become the largest stakeholder in Mistral AI. Furthermore, major industrial companies saw positive movement, with Siemens, Airbus, and Schneider each rising by 2%.