European Markets Continue Impressive Monthly Streak
European equities demonstrated remarkable resilience as they approached their longest monthly winning streak since March 2024. The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.3% by 4:05 p.m. London time, positioning itself for a fifth consecutive monthly advance. This sustained upward movement highlights growing investor confidence in the region's economic prospects.
Sector Performance and Key Movers
The trading session witnessed distinct sectoral patterns, with mining and energy shares leading the gains while travel stocks underperformed. Market volumes remained subdued on Friday, partly attributed to a technical disruption at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange that affected US futures trading.
Among individual stocks, Delivery Hero SE skyrocketed 16% following reports that several large shareholders are pressuring the company to conduct a comprehensive strategic review. Meanwhile, EasyJet Plc enjoyed a 2.9% increase after Bernstein upgraded the airline's stock from market-perform to outperform.
Broader Market Context and Expert Outlook
European stocks have delivered impressive returns of 14% since the beginning of the year, supported by robust corporate earnings and resilient economic growth. The current rally resumed this week following a brief dip from record highs achieved earlier this month.
Carl Dooley, head of EMEA trading at TD Cowen, expressed optimism about the continuing trend. "Big picture, I think the trend for equity indices remains higher," he stated. "Historically, December is the best month of the year for stocks."
Not all companies shared in the gains, however. Burberry Group Plc declined 2.5% after JPMorgan downgraded the luxury fashion house from neutral to underweight, reflecting changing analyst sentiment toward the trench coat manufacturer.
