European Stocks Close Lower for 5th Session

2026-04-24 16:03 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

European stocks closed lower on Friday amid further pressure from high energy prices and their impact on the European economy, despite stronger earnings from the tech sector.

The Eurozone's STOXX 50 fell 0.3% to 5,885 and the STOXX 600 dropped 0.6% to 611, each dropping for five consecutive sessions.

The Iran and US blockade on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz dented hopes of an imminent agreement and maintained pressure on global energy supply, lifting the outlook on rates and denting equities.

Sovereign yields held the week's gain as Governing Council members warned about the need to hike rates this quarter, pressuring banks with Santander and BNP Paribas dropped 1.5%.

Industrials also lagged, with Safran and Rheinmetall losing 3% and 6%.

Also, Eni dropped 1.2% after missing earnings.

In turn, SAP jumped 4.6% after posting strong earnings.



News Stream
European Stocks Close Lower for 5th Session
European stocks closed lower on Friday amid further pressure from high energy prices and their impact on the European economy, despite stronger earnings from the tech sector. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 fell 0.3% to 5,885 and the STOXX 600 dropped 0.6% to 611, each dropping for five consecutive sessions. The Iran and US blockade on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz dented hopes of an imminent agreement and maintained pressure on global energy supply, lifting the outlook on rates and denting equities. Sovereign yields held the week's gain as Governing Council members warned about the need to hike rates this quarter, pressuring banks with Santander and BNP Paribas dropped 1.5%. Industrials also lagged, with Safran and Rheinmetall losing 3% and 6%. Also, Eni dropped 1.2% after missing earnings. In turn, SAP jumped 4.6% after posting strong earnings.
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Stocks in Europe to End the Week Lower
European stocks traded lower on Friday, with the STOXX 50 down 0.4% and the STOXX 600 falling 0.6%, putting both indices on track to end the week in negative territory, with losses of nearly 3% and 2%, respectively. The decline comes amid stalled talks between the US and Iran and the ongoing nearly closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has also pushed oil prices higher this week. Meanwhile, the earnings season remains in focus for investors. Aerospace and defense was the worst performing sector while tech outperformed. Airbus and Safran were down almost 3%. SAP on the other hand, soared almost 7% after the company beat its profit estimates and shares of Eni rose 0.3% after the company reported higher production. Volvo was also up 1.3% after reporting a rise in truck demand.
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European Stocks Set for Lower Open
European equity markets were poised to open lower on Friday as heightened Middle East tensions fueled concerns over rising inflation and the outlook for economic growth. Investors remained cautious amid stalled US-Iran peace negotiations and ongoing blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven another surge in energy prices this week. However, the US-Iran ceasefire has been extended indefinitely to allow for further negotiations, while Israel and Lebanon have agreed to prolong their truce by three weeks. In Europe, attention will turn to key data releases, including UK retail sales, French consumer confidence, and Germany’s Ifo Business Climate survey. On the corporate front, earnings are due from Orange, Holcim, Banco Sabadell, Accor, and Renault, among others. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were both down around 0.6%.
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