European Markets React to German Industrial Output Decline

In a surprising turn of events, major European stock markets closed lower this Friday, reacting to the latest economic data from Germany. The report highlighted a significant drop in the country's industrial output, marking the lowest figures since 2020.

Investors Eye Potential Trade War Impact

Amidst these developments, investors remain vigilant, closely monitoring the potential repercussions of a looming trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada. The European Central Bank (ECB) has expressed concerns that these tariffs could adversely affect the European economy.

Market Performance Overview

The DAX index saw a decrease of 0.63%, with Porsche experiencing a sharp decline of 7.12%. Similarly, the Euro Stoxx 50 fell by 0.62%, and Pernod Ricard's shares dropped by 4.69%. The CAC 40 wasn't spared, sliding 0.43% as Edenred shares slumped by 4.56%. Across the channel, the FTSE 100 dropped 0.31%, with Barratt Redrow leading the losses, declining by 4.02%.

Currency Movements

In currency markets, the euro weakened by 0.51% against the dollar, trading at $1.03361 by late afternoon CET. The pound sterling also saw a decrease, falling 0.31% against the dollar to $1.24000.