European Markets React to Germany's Industrial Downturn

On Friday, the European stock markets experienced a downturn following the release of concerning economic data from Germany. The report highlighted that Germany's industrial output in December reached its lowest point since 2020, causing unease among investors.

Trade War Fears Loom Over European Economy

Investors are also closely monitoring the potential impacts of a trade war, fueled by United States President Donald Trump's tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada. The European Central Bank (ECB) has warned that these tariffs could have a detrimental effect on the European economy.

Market Performance Highlights

The DAX index fell by 0.63%, with Porsche seeing a significant drop of 7.12%. The Euro Stoxx 50 wasn't far behind, decreasing by 0.62%, as Pernod Ricard's shares fell by 4.69%. The CAC 40 index slid 0.43%, with Edenred experiencing a 4.56% decline. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 dropped by 0.31%, with Barratt Redrow leading the losses at a 4.02% decrease.

Currency Movements

In the currency markets, the euro weakened by 0.51% against the dollar, trading at $1.03361 by 5:28 pm CET. Similarly, the pound sterling decreased by 0.31% against the dollar, selling for $1.24000 shortly thereafter.