European Markets Open Higher Amid Trade Hopes

European markets experienced a positive opening on Friday, buoyed by a combination of robust corporate earnings and optimistic trade news. Reports suggest China may be easing some retaliatory tariffs on US-made chips, signaling a potential thaw in trade relations between Washington and Beijing.

UK Retail Data Exceeds Expectations

Adding to the positive sentiment, the UK reported better-than-expected retail sales data for March, with sales volumes increasing by 2.6% year-on-year. This development has further lifted market spirits across Europe.

Market Performances at a Glance

By 9:00 am CET, key indices showed notable gains: the DAX advanced by 0.47%, with Siemens Energy AG leading the charge with a 2.07% increase. The EURO STOXX 50 and the French CAC 40 also saw significant upticks, with Safran SA jumping 4.03%. Meanwhile, the British FTSE 100 edged up by 0.31%, supported by a 2.09% rise in F&C Investment Trust PLC.

In currency markets, the euro and pound both experienced slight declines against the US dollar, trading at $1.13433 and $1.33071 respectively by 8:58 am CET.