May 25 ,2026
Synopsis:
European equity markets ended higher Monday, with Stoxx 600 close to all-time highs recorded in Feb. FTSEMIB posted fresh all-time high. Follows positive close on Friday. UK markets closed for Spring Bank holiday. Denmark, Norway and Switzerland also closed. US markets closed for Memorial Day. Banks, travel/leisure, constructions, autos, industrials and tech the best performers, while telco and energy the main laggards.
Markets remain firmly in risk-on mode. Over the weekend President Trump described a peace agreement as "largely negotiated," with reports indicating the two sides have reached MoU encompassing a 60-day ceasefire, reopening Hormuz and sanctions relief on Iranian oil, though nuclear dossier deferred and formal Iranian sign-off still pending. Iran diplomacy narrative providing constructive backdrop. Shipping data showed crude supertankers and LNG carriers transiting the Strait. Yet, analysts caution restoration of pre-war supply flows will take time. Higher-for-longer rate environment is not going away.
Dominant European policy story is ECB, where President Lagarde has signaled that the June projections will revise up 2026 inflation outlook as effects of the Iran war feed through, with money markets now pricing a rate hike next month unless a sustainable US-Iran peace deal materialises. EU gas prices lower on optimism over Hormuz, though elevated yields seen driven by structural forces that will persist even if the war ends. On the Brexit front, EU rejected UK's push for single market access for goods ahead of July summit. In French politics, Edouard Philippe emerging as the only centrist figure capable of blocking a far-right victory in the 2027 presidential election.
Macro calendar is empty. On the corporate front, Delivery Hero (DHER.GR) confirmed it has been approached by Uber Technologies (UBER) with respect to potential takeover offer. Press reports some Delivery Hero investors are seeking more than €40/share. Elsewhere, Abivax (ABVX.FP) reported Q1 results. Meanwnhile, media reports Prosus (PRX.NA) has asked EU to drop forced divestment of its Delivery Hero stake.
Looking ahead to tomorrow's EU econ-calendar, key releases will include, amongst others, UK May shop price inflation - BRC, distributive trades - CBI and Spain Apr PPI.
Digest:
Sectors - STOXX Europe 600:
Outperformers:
Banks +2.01%, Travel & Leisure +1.93%, Construct & Mtls +1.90%, Autos & Parts +1.77%, Ind Goods & Svcs +1.75%, Technology +1.71%
Underperformers:
Telecom (0.12%), Oil & Gas (0.11%), Food & Beverage +0.22%, Health Care +0.28%, Chemicals +0.54%, Financial Svcs +0.57%, Insurance +0.59%, Media +0.59%, Utilities +0.65%, Real Estate +0.77%, Persnl & HHold Goods +0.86%, Basic Resources +0.86%, Retail +0.96%
Macro:
EU companies reporting tomorrow:
Earnings:
DACHs: LEM Holding (LEHN.SW)
Nordics: Maha Capital (MAHA.A.SS), Saniona (SANION.SS), Next Biometrics Group (NEXT.NO)
UK: Atalaya Mining (ATYM.LN), Diaceutics (DXRX.LN), Calnex Solutions (CLX.LN)
Tarding Update:
DACHs: innoscripta (1INN.GR)
France: Inventiva (IVA.FP), Maat Pharma (MAAT.FP)
UK: Kingfisher (KGF.LN)
Data:
Economics:
None
Markets:
WTI Crude (26-Jul): ($5.58) or (5.78%) to $91.02
€-$ +0.0008 or +0.07% to 1.1647
£-$ +0.0049 or +0.36% to 1.3505
€-£ (0.0025) to 0.8625
S&P 500 closed
Performance year-to-date:
FTSE 100: +5.39%
DAX: +3.67%
CAC: +1.33%
MIB: +11.74%
Stoxx 600: +6.66%
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