Economic Indicators Influence Market Trends

Following the release of the latest economic data, major European stock markets experienced a downturn on Friday. Germany saw a decrease in inflation alongside a rise in unemployment, while France reported a minor increase in inflation. The UK's annual house price growth, Italian producer prices, and retail sales in Germany and Switzerland were also highlighted in today's reports.

Market Movements Across Europe

The French CAC 40 fell by 0.16%, with LVMH shares dropping by 1.98%. The Euro Stoxx 50 decreased by 0.13%, largely due to Adidas's 2.04% decline. Conversely, the British FTSE 100 saw a 0.38% increase, propelled by Smiths Group's impressive 11.42% surge. The German DAX dropped by 0.13%, with Merck shares losing 2.9%.

Currency Exchange Rates

At 5:35 pm CET, the euro and the pound sterling remained stable against the dollar, trading at 1.03977 and 1.24407, respectively.