European Markets End Higher on Tariff Optimism

European markets closed higher on Tuesday, fueled by cautious optimism over potential relief from US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Despite mixed economic reports, investors showed resilience, pushing major indexes up.

Mixed Economic Data from the Eurozone

Germany's economic sentiment took a sharp downturn in April, contrasting with a 1.1% rise in Eurozone industrial production for February. This mixed bag of data highlights the uncertain economic landscape in Europe.

Tariff Skepticism and Industry Warnings

The European Union remains skeptical about the US easing its 20% tariffs on imports. Carmakers have voiced concerns, warning that ongoing tariffs and regulations could severely impact the auto industry across continents.

Market Highlights

The DAX and FTSE 100 saw significant gains, with Heidelberg Materials and 3l Group PLC leading the charge. The EURO STOXX 50 and CAC 40 also closed higher, with Stellantis NV making notable advances. Currency movements saw the euro dip against the dollar, while the pound gained ground.