European stock markets are trading on an emphatically positive note amidst growing optimism about a potential peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. The massive plunge in crude oil prices and the subsiding fears of fuel-led inflation also boosted market sentiment. U.S. stock futures rising to new records as well as strong corporate earnings lifted market sentiment considerably.
U.K.'s FTSE 100 is trading 2.6 percent above the previous closing level of 10,219.11. It is currently trading at 10,482.96 after ranging between 10,324.72 and 10,487.66. France's CAC 40 index has jumped 3.3 percent in the day's trading at its current level of 8,329.49. The day's trading ranged between 8,131.53 and 8,330.44. The index has gained 8.2 percent over the course of the year.
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May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.