15.09.202507:38:32UTC+00European Stocks Higher

European stocks commenced the week on an optimistic note, with the STOXX 50 increasing by 0.6% and the STOXX 600 advancing 0.3%, reaching their highest levels in three weeks. This performance comes as traders prepare for a week filled with significant central bank monetary policy announcements. It is largely anticipated that the Federal Reserve will resume its course of reducing interest rates, with a 25 basis point cut already factored into market expectations. Additionally, investors are keenly observing policy decisions from the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, and the Bank of Canada. Meanwhile, focus remains on France subsequent to Fitch’s recent downgrade of the nation’s credit rating last Friday. The downgrade was attributed to expanding government debt, the increasing political divide, and apprehensions regarding the fiscal outlook. The banking sector spearheaded the market gains, notably with Rubis surging over 7% amid speculation of acquisition interest from CVC Capital Partners and Trafigura. Other financial institutions such as Banco Santander, UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, and BNP Paribas also experienced upward momentum, gaining 0.9%, 1%, 1.2%, and 1.1%, respectively. Among prominent companies, LVMH and ASML Holding reported notable increases of 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively.