European stocks hover near record on lingering policy optimism

EUROPEAN stocks hovered near a record on Friday, wrapping up the final full trading week of the year with optimism around further policy easing and resilient growth in the US.

The Stoxx 600 Index closed 0.37 per cent higher at 587.50, after finishing at an all-time peak on Thursday for the first time since November.

Energy and insurance shares outperformed the most, while the consumer products sector was leading the declines.

European sportswear stocks including Adidas AG and Puma SE dropped after US giant Nike warned its sales will decline this quarter. Investors also braced for more volatility as the largest options expiry day on record takes place. 

Sentiment was boosted this week after US inflation cooled and the European Central Bank forecast stronger economic growth. The Stoxx 600 is set for its sixth consecutive monthly gain, with value stocks in Europe eying their biggest outperformance over growth peers on record.

“I’ve been an equity bull since May, and remain one now – the fundamental case for further upside is still solid, with earnings growth robust, the economy resilient, the monetary backdrop growing looser, and a calmer tone continuing to prevail on the trade front,” said Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone. 

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Among other individual movers, WH Smith Plc dropped 3.7 per cent as the embattled retailer cut its annual dividend for the first time since the pandemic in its delayed full-year results Friday.

European delivery companies may be active on Friday after US operator FedEx reported earnings for the most recent quarter that topped Wall Street estimates and raised the low end of its profit outlook for the year. BLOOMBERG