European stocks closed higher on Friday amid expectations of further rate cuts by central banks despite data showing an acceleration in eurozone inflation. Investors also digested French GDP data and Germany's retails sales and unemployment data.
The pan European Stoxx 600 climbed 0.58%. Germany's DAX advanced 1.03% and France's CAC 40 gained 0.78%, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 edged up 0.07% and Switzerland's SMI closed higher by 0.46%.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.