European stocks were broadly lower on Thursday after posting strong gains in the previous session on AI-driven optimism and hopes for a quick end to the Middle East conflict.
The downside was capped after data showed German factory orders grew at a faster pace in March.
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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.