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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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.