European stocks closed sharply higher on Friday, tracking the rise in global equity markets after Iran communicated that it opened the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 gained 2% to 6,054 and the pan-European STOXX 600 gained 1.5% to 626, both at their highest since their respective records on late February. The development improved the outlook of normalized energy supply from key producers in the region, triggering a plunge in oil and gas benchmarks and easing concerns of stagflation in Europe. Banks surged on the outlook of improved credit and lower rates, with Santander and NP Paribas gaining more than 4%. Industrial giants also gained as lower power prices were due to improve their margins, with Safran, Airbus, and Schneider adding between 4% and 6%.

Euro Area's main stock market index, the EU50, rose to 6062 points on April 17, 2026, gaining 2.17% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.67% and is up 22.18% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Euro Area. Historically, the Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50) reached an all time high of 6208.30 in February of 2026. Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50) - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 19 of 2026.

Euro Area's main stock market index, the EU50, rose to 6062 points on April 17, 2026, gaining 2.17% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 5.67% and is up 22.18% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Euro Area. The Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50) is expected to trade at 5938.93 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 5478.09 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
FR40 8,425.13 162.43 1.97% 5.71% 15.00% Apr/17
DE40 24,702.24 547.77 2.27% 5.11% 16.01% Apr/17
IT40 48,869.43 842.49 1.75% 9.23% 35.95% Apr/17
ES35 18,484.50 395.00 2.18% 6.85% 42.07% Apr/17
EU100 1,851.23 0 0% 5.01% 26.64% Apr/17
EU600 626.58 9.63 1.56% 4.79% 23.73% Apr/17
EU50 6,057.71 124.43 2.10% 5.59% 22.10% Apr/17

Components Price Day Year MCap Date
ASML Holding 1,244.00 21.40 1.75% 121.71% 583B Apr/18
LVMH 499.40 15.35 3.17% 2.48% 280.42B Apr/18
L'Oréal 356.75 6.85 1.96% -1.83% 237.46B Apr/18
Linde 416.80 -6.20 -1.47% 5.79% 234.9B Apr/17
SAP 156.24 4.58 3.02% -28.49% 233.95B Apr/18
Siemens 247.65 8.05 3.36% 30.81% 197.72B Apr/18
Deutsche Telekom 29.59 0.48 1.65% -7.85% 194.02B Apr/18
Inditex 55.02 1.92 3.62% 15.78% 188.72B Apr/18
Schneider Electric 278.65 10.90 4.07% 39.60% 181.96B Apr/18
Banco Santander 11.04 0.52 4.90% 82.42% 176.46B Apr/18




Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Euro Area Inflation Rate 2.60 1.90 percent Mar 2026
Euro Area Interest Rate 2.15 2.15 percent Mar 2026
Euro Area Unemployment Rate 6.20 6.10 percent Feb 2026

Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50)
The EURO STOXX 50 is a major stock market index which tracks the performance of 50 Blue-chip companies based in twelve Euro Area countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6061.85 5933.28 6208.30 615.90 1986 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: Euro Area

News Stream
European Stocks Approach Record Highs
European stocks closed sharply higher on Friday, tracking the rise in global equity markets after Iran communicated that it opened the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 gained 2% to 6,054 and the pan-European STOXX 600 gained 1.5% to 626, both at their highest since their respective records on late February. The development improved the outlook of normalized energy supply from key producers in the region, triggering a plunge in oil and gas benchmarks and easing concerns of stagflation in Europe. Banks surged on the outlook of improved credit and lower rates, with Santander and NP Paribas gaining more than 4%. Industrial giants also gained as lower power prices were due to improve their margins, with Safran, Airbus, and Schneider adding between 4% and 6%.
2026-04-17
European Stocks Tread Water
European equities were largely directionless on Friday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovering around the flatline. However, both indices remained on course to post modest weekly gains, as investors assess ongoing developments in the Middle East and potential progress in US–Iran negotiations. US President Trump said it is “looking very good” that a deal with Iran could be reached, adding that talks may resume over the weekend. He also claimed, without providing evidence, that Iran had agreed to terms it has resisted. SAP (1.3%), Hermes (0.9%), EssilorLuxottica (1.2%) and Sanofi (0.8%) were higher while ASML Holding (-0.8%) and Siemens Energy (-1.4%) traded lower. Meanwhile, Ericsson shares fell roughly 2.5% following an earnings miss. For the week, the STOXX 50 is up 0.2%, while the STOXX 600 has gained 0.4%.
2026-04-17
European Stocks Set for Lower Open
European equity markets were set to open marginally lower on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the weekend while awaiting clearer signals on US-Iran peace negotiations. US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the conflict with Iran will end soon, saying Tehran had agreed to terms including abandoning nuclear ambitions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a development that could support further US-Iran talks. In Europe, investors will focus on upcoming trade balance data for the Eurozone and Italy, with no major corporate earnings releases scheduled. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx Europe 600 futures were both down about 0.1%.
2026-04-17