The major European stock markets finished higher again on Wednesday, thanks to growing optimism about a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran.A massive plunge in crude oil prices and easing fears of fuel-led inflation also boosted market sentiment as the markets opened higher and remained firmly in the green throughout the day.Strong early performances from U.S. stocks and solid corporate earnings also lifted market sentiment considerably.Germany's DAX surged 516.99 points or 2.12 percent to finish at 24,918.69, while London's FTSE spiked 219.55 points or 2.15 percent to close at 10,438.66, the CAC 40 in France rallied 237.11 points or 2.94 percent to end at 8,299.42 and the SMI in Switzerland jumped 231.09 points or 1.77 percent to finish at 13,283.26.
In Germany, MTU Aero Engines skyrocketed 10.14 percent, while Airbus surged 6.04 percent, Volkswagen accelerated 4.39 percent, Deutsche Bank jumped 3.87 percent, Vonovia strengthened 3.05 percent, Heidelberg Materials climbed 2.46 percent, Deutsche Telekom advanced 1.76 percent, Deutsche Post improved 1.21 percent, Deutsche Borse sank 2.02 percent and BASF dropped 1.74 percent.
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Market Analysis
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.