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European stocks inched higher on Thursday, haling a four-day losing streak on optimism over a potential trade deal between the United States and the European Union.<\/p>\n
The bloc is readying a package of tariffs to be levied on 72 billion euros’ ($84bn) worth of goods against the U.S, if negotiations failed. <\/p>\n
In economic releases, data showed the U.K. unemployment rate rose unexpectedly to 4.7 percent in the three months to May, while it was forecast to remain unchanged at 4.6 percent.<\/p>\n
Pay growth slipped from 5.3 percent to 5 percent, spurring hopes the Bank of England will cut interest rates next month. <\/p>\n
The pan European STOXX 600 was up 0.6 percent at 545.28 after falling 0.6 percent on Wednesday following disappointing earnings updates from the likes of ASML Holdings and Renault.<\/p>\n
The German DAX climbed 0.8 percent, France’s CAC 40 added 0.9 percent and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 was up 0.4 percent. <\/p>\n
In corporate news, low-cost airline EasyJet slumped 6.6 percent after strike action by French air traffic controllers and higher fuel prices dented its quarterly performance. <\/p>\n
Advertising firm Publicis Groupe fell nearly 2 percent despite posting strong Q2 results and upgrading its annual growth guidance. <\/p>\n
Swatch Group rallied 2.3 percent. After reporting falling sales and profits, the watchmaker indicated that the slump in demand for luxury timepieces in China is bottoming out.<\/p>\n
ABB shares surged 6.5 percent. The industrial-technology<\/span> company reported record order intake and profit margins in the second quarter of 2025.<\/p>\n Rivals Siemens and Schneider Electric jumped 2.8 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively. <\/p>\n Online supermarket and technology group Ocado soared 13 percent after reporting better-than-expected first-half results. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Business News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n