European Stock Markets Reach Highest in Months Amid Trump-Putin Summit Buzz

 

European markets enjoyed a feel-good day on Friday, as investor sentiment surged amid upbeat corporate results and growing speculation about the potential global impact of a U.S.–Russia summit. The STOXX 600 index crept up approximately 0.3%, marking yet another week of strong performance for equity markets across the continent—particularly in mining and chemicals firms. In the U.K., the FTSE 100 traded at record levels, Germany’s DAX hit a fresh high for the month, and Spain’s IBEX along with Italy’s FTSE MIB soared to heights not seen since 2007.

All eyes were on the upcoming meeting in Alaska between Presidents Trump and Putin. Investors are hopeful that discussions could yield a ceasefire in Ukraine—an outcome that would give a much-needed boost to sectors like banking and construction materials, which could all benefit from reconstruction efforts. One strategist captured the prevailing mood: markets are “waiting… for a ceasefire,” fueling gains in sectors poised for post-conflict recovery.

This wave of cautious optimism was amplified by strong corporate earnings. A majority of reporting companies beat forecasts, reinforcing confidence in market fundamentals. Global mining giants like Antofagasta, Anglo American, and Glencore posted solid gains, and Danish power cable producer NKT enjoyed a standout performance after raising its full-year forecast.

But not every corner of the market shined. Semiconductor firms such as ASML, BE Semiconductor, and ASMI slipped amid concerns over slowing demand and tariff uncertainty—especially after a U.S. rival trimmed its earnings outlook. And jewelry retailer Pandora dropped over 10%, weighed down by weakened sales forecasts in Europe.

Despite troubling headlines—like rising U.S. producer prices and weak Chinese economic data—the prevailing mood remained upbeat. A blend of strong earnings, sector leadership, and geopolitical anticipation helped drive European equities to their strongest levels in months. Investors left the day with cautious optimism, hopeful that the summit in Alaska will open the door to broader global stability.