European Stocks Rise as ECB, BoE Hold Rates

2026-04-30 13:35 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

European stocks rebounded Thursday, with the STOXX 50 up 1% and STOXX 600 rising 1.3% as the ECB and BoE held rates steady, and oil prices eased.

The ECB kept options open for future meetings, citing heightened inflation and growth risks, with Lagarde confirming a hike was debated.

The BoE also maintained rates, with Bailey warning a "forceful" response might be needed if the Iran war’s economic impact worsens.

Data showed Eurozone inflation at a 2.5-year high of 3% in April, while Q1 GDP growth slowed unexpectedly.

Earnings drove mixed moves: Rolls-Royce surged 7.3% on maintained guidance, Standard Chartered gained 5% on record profits, and Unilever, Glencore, ArcelorMittal, and Volkswagen rose over 1%.

Meanwhile, Stellantis fell 6.3% on weak revenue, Credit Agricole slid 5%, BNP Paribas dropped 2.6%, Société Générale lost 4%, and Universal Music Group declined 4.6%.

For the month, the STOXX 50 gained 5.5%, while the STOXX 600 rose 4.7%.

European exchanges reopen May 4th.



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European Stocks Rise as ECB, BoE Hold Rates
European stocks rebounded Thursday, with the STOXX 50 up 1% and STOXX 600 rising 1.3% as the ECB and BoE held rates steady, and oil prices eased. The ECB kept options open for future meetings, citing heightened inflation and growth risks, with Lagarde confirming a hike was debated. The BoE also maintained rates, with Bailey warning a "forceful" response might be needed if the Iran war’s economic impact worsens. Data showed Eurozone inflation at a 2.5-year high of 3% in April, while Q1 GDP growth slowed unexpectedly. Earnings drove mixed moves: Rolls-Royce surged 7.3% on maintained guidance, Standard Chartered gained 5% on record profits, and Unilever, Glencore, ArcelorMittal, and Volkswagen rose over 1%. Meanwhile, Stellantis fell 6.3% on weak revenue, Credit Agricole slid 5%, BNP Paribas dropped 2.6%, Société Générale lost 4%, and Universal Music Group declined 4.6%. For the month, the STOXX 50 gained 5.5%, while the STOXX 600 rose 4.7%. European exchanges reopen May 4th.
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European Stocks Slide to Three-Week Lows
European stock indexes traded mostly lower on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 falling 1% to a three-week low and the broader STOXX 600 declining 0.6%, as investors assessed the latest developments in the Iran conflict, parsed economic data and corporate earnings, and prepared for monetary policy decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. Brent crude rallied to fresh four-year highs after a report that the US military would brief President Donald Trump on potential action against Iran, stoking fears of renewed armed conflict and a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports. Among individual stocks, Stellantis dropped 7% on weak Q1 revenue, Volkswagen fell 2% on lower sales, and Credit Agricole slid 5% on missed revenue. ArcelorMittal fell 1.7% despite beating EPS estimates, while BNP Paribas lost 4% even after strong revenue. Standard Chartered gained 2.5% on record profits, Unilever held flat on strong sales, and Glencore rose 0.4% on upbeat trading earnings.
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