Investment accounts
Adult accounts
Child accounts
Choosing Fidelity
Choosing Fidelity
Why invest with us Current offers Fees and charges Open an account Transfer investments
Financial advice & support
Fidelity’s Services
Fidelity’s Services
Financial advice Retirement Wealth Management Investor Centre (London) Bereavement
Guidance and tools
Guidance and tools
Choosing investments Choosing accounts ISA calculator Retirement calculators
Share dealing
Choose your shares
Tools and information
Tools and information
Share prices and markets Chart and compare shares Stock market news Shareholder perks IPOs and placings
Pensions & retirement
Pensions, tax & tools
Saving for retirement
Approaching / In retirement
Approaching / In retirement
Speak to a specialist Creating a retirement plan Taking tax-free cash Pension drawdown Annuities Investing in retirement Investment Pathways
Europe close: Stocks down for a second week on geopolitics, volatility gauge rockets
(Sharecast News) - Stocks on the Continent ended the session on a mixed note and with investors nursing a second consecutive week of losses. That followed a report in The Wall Street Journal according to which an Iranian strike against Israel was expected over the following two days.
Investors concern? A broader conflict in the Middle East.
The Stoxx 600 index edged up 0.14% to 505.25, but the VStoxx gauge of volatility for the Euro Stoxx 50 soared 13%.
Germany's Dax dipped 0.13% to 17,930.32 while the Cac-40 was off by 0.16% to 8,010.83.
Front-dated Brent crude oil futures meanwhile popped above $90 a barrel on the ICE - for a six-month high - and at one point gold futures soared past the $2,400/oz. mark on COMEX.
In economic data, UK GDP grew 0.1% in February following 0.3% growth the month before. The figures suggested GDP did not contract in the quarter between January and March, raising hopes that a recession was over.
German inflation fell in March, matching the lowest level since mid-2021, according to secondary estimates released on Friday. The annual rate of inflation was 2.3% last month, in line with the preliminary estimate and analysts' forecasts.
Market movers
UK housebuilders performed well in the early part of the session after positive broker commentary. JPMorgan said in a research note that it was taking a more positive stance on the sector in 2024, "as we see scope for likely positive sentiment/newsflow from the upcoming UK election (with housing expected to be a key focus) before positioning for a recovery in 2025E, likely aided by rate cuts".
Meanwhile, RBC Capital Markets upgraded its rating on Taylor Wimpey to 'outperform', saying the business "has the wind behind its sales, and we like the cut of its jib". Sector peers Persimmon, Redrow and Barratt Developments also put in decent gains.
Mining stocks in London were also providing a lift, as commodity prices continued to rise. Gold prices were up 0.75% at new record highs, while silver gained 0.99% and copper rose 0.42%. Rio Tinto, Antofagasta, Anglo American and Glencore all rose strongly.
German drug company Evotec surged 3% after Deutsche Bank analysts upgraded the stock from 'hold' to 'buy', forecasting strong earnings growth in 2024.
French bank Societe Generale added 2% a day after announcing a deal to sell its professional equipment financing business to BPCE for €1.1bn.
Share this article
Related Sharecast Articles
Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Award-winning online share dealing
Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.
Expert insights into investing your money
Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.
Policies and important information
Accessibility | Conflicts of interest statement | Consumer Duty Target Market | Consumer Duty Value Assessment Statement | Cookie policy | Diversity and Inclusion | Doing Business with Fidelity | Fidelity gender pay report | Investing in Fidelity funds | Legal information | Modern slavery | Mutual respect policy | Privacy statement | Remuneration policy | Security | Statutory and Regulatory disclosures | Whistleblowing policy
Please remember that past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance, the performance of investments is not guaranteed, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. When investments have particular tax features, these will depend on your personal circumstances and tax rules may change in the future. This website does not contain any personal recommendations for a particular course of action, service or product. You should regularly review your investment objectives and choices and, if you are unsure whether an investment is suitable for you, you should contact an authorised financial adviser. Before opening an account, please read the ‘Doing Business with Fidelity’ document which incorporates our client terms. Prior to investing into a fund, please read the relevant key information document which contains important information about the fund.
This website is issued by Financial Administration Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (FCA Register number 122169) and registered in England and Wales under company number 1629709 whose registered address is Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 6RP.