European stocks held steady on Friday, with optimism over a debt deal in the U.S. and encouraging retail sales data from the U.K. helping underpin investor sentiment to some extent.
Reports suggested earlier in the day that U.S. lawmakers are inching closer to an agreement that would raise the debt limit for about two years and cap federal spending at the same level as fiscal 2023 for two years.
In economic releases, official data showed U.K. retail sales recovered in April driven by food and non-food turnover.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Market Analysis
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.