Europe: Shares end strongly on upbeat US data

EUROPEAN shares marked their best week since mid-March, ending Friday (May 27) on a strong note as upbeat US data and easing bets about aggressive interest rate hikes lifted sentiment.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose for a third straight session, closing up 1.5 per cent, taking weekly gains to 3 per cent. Germany’s DAX ended at an over 1-month high, up 1.6 per cent.

Technology stocks led gains among sectors, up 3.3 per cent, while industrials and luxury stocks were among the biggest boosts to the Stoxx 600.

A rally on Wall Street on some strong retail and technology earnings and upbeat consumer spending data for April, helped calm some worries about slowing economic growth that had roiled markets. Data also showed US inflation slowed last month.

Banks shone this week, up 6 per cent as major central banks stayed on course to hike interest rates.

Central banks have adopted a tightening stance to fight surging inflation, leaving investors worried about a likely hit to economic growth, but equity markets found some respite on signs monetary policy may not be more aggressive than indicated.

Minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s early May meeting showed the bank could pause after 50 basis points hikes in the next 2 months.

“Markets feel a little happier that they know where things are going to go, and also that there’s going to be a real focus from central banks to make sure that they do take a measured approach... to create this soft landing to prevent economies from going into recession,” said Danni Hewson, financial analyst at AJ Bell.

Investors are watching for any updates from the European Central Bank, which is expected to begin its hiking cycle in July. Chief Christine Lagarde signalled rates, currently at -0.5 per cent, will be at 0 per cent or above by September.

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Worries about the Russia-Ukraine war further fuelling energy prices, and concerns about demand from China amid Covid-19 curbs, have also weighed on stocks recently.

The Stoxx 600 is on track to end May lower, leaving March as the only month it rose this year.

London’s blue-chip FTSE 100 underperformed on Friday as energy stocks tracked oil prices lower, and as utilities worried about a potential windfall tax.

LSL Property Services slipped 4.2 per cent after it said surging inflation would hit annual profit. REUTERS