Europe: Retailers lift stocks but growth worries persist

EUROPEAN markets rose on Thursday (May 26) with the retail sector leading the charge as Britain revealed new stimulus plans, while the US Federal Reserve sticking to its monetary policy tightening script also bolstered risk appetite.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed higher for a second straight session, up 0.8 per cent. Gains were largely broad-based, with retailers up 4.7 per cent.

British retailers Ocado, Marks & Spencer, Next and Primark owner Associated British Foods rallied between 4.4 per cent and 11.5 per cent on hopes that a new 15 billion pound (S$22.1 billion) package of support for households struggling to meet soaring energy bills will encourage them to keep spending.

Luxury stocks also ticked up, with Louis Vuitton owner LVMH up 3.7 per cent - the biggest boost to the Stoxx 600.

Sentiment remained fragile, however, on lingering worries about slowing economic growth from central bank tightening.

On Wednesday, minutes of the Fed's early May policy meeting showed policymakers agreed to raise interest rates by 50 basis points at the next 2 meetings to tame surging prices and also discussed the possibility of pausing after July should inflation start to ease.

Regionally, the European Central Bank is expected to begin a hiking cycle in July.

"While (Fed) minutes didn't really add much to the outlook for monetary policy, they did at least calm fears that a faster pace of tightening is on the way," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG.

"Beyond bargain hunting there seems little concrete rationale for the bounce, which leaves investors wondering whether next week will see yet another dramatic reversal in stocks."

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Markets have had a volatile week, and the Stoxx is set to end yet another month lower as investors worry about the effect of central bank tightening, the Russia-Ukraine war and China's Covid-19 curbs on economic growth.

Fund managers expect the Stoxx 600 to reach 450 points by year-end - just about 3.5 per cent higher from current levels, according to a Reuters poll.

European utilities fell 1.2 per cent on Thursday, limiting gains. Water company United Utilities slumped 6.6 per cent after warning of higher costs in the current year. Other British utilities also slipped on worries over an energy windfall tax being extended to the sector.

BT Group slid 2.3 per cent after Britain launched a national security review of a deal by the telecoms group's biggest shareholder Patrick Drahi to increase his stake to 18 per cent.

Some markets in Europe, including Switzerland, Sweden and Finland, were closed for a local holiday. REUTERS