European stocks rise as inflation data firm; Warsh set to speak
STOXX 50 gained 0.8% and STOXX 600 advanced 0.5% in Friday trading. Investors weighed fresh France and Spain inflation acceleration, awaiting Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech for US rate outlook clues.
European equity markets traded higher on Friday, with the STOXX 50 gaining 0.8% and the broader STOXX 600 advancing 0.5%, as investors digested a batch of economic data and awaited Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech at the annual Jackson Hole symposium later in the day for clues on the outlook for US interest rates.
Data from France and Spain pointed to renewed acceleration in price pressures across Europe, with EU-harmonized inflation rates rising to fresh multi-year highs.
The figures reinforced expectations that ECB policymakers could resume raising interest rates when they meet in September.
Corporate news was relatively quiet at the end of the week.
Austrian construction company Strabag surged nearly 9% after upgrading its full-year guidance following strong first-half results, while Germany’s Bertelsmann rose 0.2% after raising its outlook for 2026.