The major European markets closed lower on Thursday after posting strong gains earlier in the week. The markets opened mixed but quickly tailed off and trended lower, ending near session lows.
The lackluster performance by the broader markets come in reaction to recent gains, which had reflected optimism about a peaceful end to the conflict in the Middle East - although that situation remains unclear.
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May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.