European Equities: Economic Data and Updates from the G7 Summit in Focus

The Majors

It was a bullish end to the week for the European majors on Friday.

The CAC40 and the DAX30 rose by 0.83% and by 0.78% respectively, with the EuroStoxx600 gaining 0.65%.

Economic data was on the lighter side, leaving the majors to respond further to U.S stats and the ECB monetary policy decision and outlook from Thursday.

Market optimism continued to support following the ECB’s upward revision to growth forecasts for this year and next.

With inflationary pressures projected to ease going into next year, even a marked pickup in U.S inflationary pressures failed to spook the markets.

From a FED perspective, a slower recovery in labor market conditions and expectations of softer inflation next year eased market concerns over a shift in FED policy near-term.

Updates from the G7 Summit was also market risk positive, with the message being one of unity going into day 1.

The Stats

It’s was quieter day on the economic data front this morning. Finalized inflation figures from Spain were in focus, which had a muted impact on the European majors.

In May, the annual rate of inflation accelerated from 2.2% to 2.7%, which was is in line with prelim figures.

From the U.S

Consumer sentiment figures provided support late in the day.

According to prelim figures, the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose from 82.9 to 86.4 in June. Economists had forecast a more modest increase to 84.0.

The Consumer Expectations Index was also on the rise, increasing from 78.8 to 83.8.

The Market Movers

For the DAX: It was a bullish day for the auto sector on Friday. BMW rallied by 2.23%, with Continental and Daimler ending the day up by 1.70% and by 1.84% respectively. Volkswagen trailed, however, rising by a more modest 1.28%.

It was a bearish day for the banks, however. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank ended the day with losses of 1.03% and 1.78% respectively.

From the CAC, it was another mixed day for the banks. BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole rose by 0.41% and by 0.26% respectively. Soc Gen slipped by 0.08%.

It was a bullish day for the French auto sector, however. Stellantis NV rose by 0.88%, with Renault rallying by 7.05%.

Air France-KLM and Airbus SE ended the day with gains of 1.06% and 1.66% respectively.

On the VIX Index

It was a 2^nd consecutive day in the red for the VIX on Friday, marking just the 3^rd decline in 7 sessions.

Following a 10.01% fall from Thursday, the VIX declined by 2.80% to end the day at 15.65.

The NASDAQ rose by 0.35%, with the Dow and the S&P500 ending the day up by 0.04% and by 0.19% respectively.