Europe’s STOXX 600 closed 1% higher at 631.63 points on May 25, reaching its highest level in over two months and erasing all losses since the Middle East conflict began. Markets were buoyed by hopes of a U.S.-Iran peace deal after President Donald Trump said a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz had been “largely negotiated,” while Iranian officials held talks with Qatar’s prime minister. Banks surged 2%, airlines rallied — Lufthansa up 3.4%, Air France KLM up 6.2% — as Brent crude fell 5% to around $98 a barrel. Delivery Hero jumped nearly 12% on reports Uber was considering a raised takeover bid. Capital Economics cautioned that energy prices and suspended rate cuts could limit further gains.
In-Depth:
By Johann M Cherian and Purvi Agarwal
May 25 (Reuters) – Europe’s STOXX 600 closed at its highest level in over two months, recovering all its losses since the start of the Middle East conflict, lifted by growing expectations for a U.S.-Iran peace deal and enthusiasm for AI companies.
The pan-European STOXX 600 closed 1% higher at 631.63 points, less than 1% away from its February record high.
Banks led the charge with a 2% jump, while airlines also advanced as Brent crude oil slid 5% to around $98 a barrel. Lufthansa and Air France KLM were up 3.4% and 6.2%, respectively.
Most STOXX 600 sectors were higher, while energy and telecommunications lost about 0.1% each.
Investors drew comfort from U.S. President Donald Trump’s comment on Saturday that a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz had been “largely nereceivediated”, while Iranian officials were in talks with Qatar’s prime minister on a potential deal.
“There’s surely room for more of a rally if the good news is confirmed. But there are a few things that might hold it back,” analysts at Capital Economics declared in a note.
Citing factors that they anticipate would cap a rally, the analysts declared: “Energy prices won’t immediately return to normal. Rate cuts are probably off the table this year in most major economies.”
They added that becaapply investor risk appetite has been resilient despite the conflict, the potential for a significant increase in the event of a peace deal is limited.
Investors will see to inflation data from major euro zone economies this week for signs of the Iran war’s impact. Markets expect two European Central Bank interest rate increases of 25 basis points each by year-finish, according to LSEG data.
STOXX 600 PLAYS CATCH UP
The STOXX 600 has lagged its Asian and U.S. peers, which have already rallied to record highs, given its tinyer exposure to major AI-linked stocks and concerns about energy-induced inflation.
Still, the European tech sector has rallied the most among STOXX 600 peers this quarter and is up over 25%.
Chip-building giant ASML added 1.5% on Monday, while AI equipment creater Schneider Electric rose 3.1%.
Among others, Delivery Hero jumped close to 12% to an 18-month high after a report declared Uber was weighing a raised takeover bid for the German food-delivery group.
Delivery Hero rejected Uber’s previous offer valuing it at over 11.5 billion euros ($13.4 billion).
Meanwhile, tensions escalated in Ukraine as Russia pounded Kyiv and surrounding areas. Defence stocks gained 2%.
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