European Markets Open Higher

European markets showed a positive start on Friday, buoyed by a combination of strong corporate earnings and optimistic trade signals between China and the US. Reports suggest China may be easing some tariffs on US-made chips, sparking hopes for improved trade relations.

Key Performances

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

Currency Movements

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

Supporting Data

Adding to the positive sentiment, UK retail sales volumes for March exceeded expectations, showing a 2.6% year-on-year increase.