European markets edge lower as tariff concerns take hold
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European equities are poised for another day in the red on Friday, extending the recent sell-off triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest announcement on auto stocks. Futures for the Euro STOXX 50 are around 0.5% lower, while FTSE contracts have slipped by about 0.3%. There has been little fresh tariff news since the initial announcement on Wednesday, but as investors digest the potential fallout, worries about global growth are intensifying.
Safe-haven government bonds continue to rally. Germany’s 10-year Bund yield has dropped to its lowest level since March 5, reflecting a shift to lower-risk assets. Despite this cautious environment, British retail sales provided a glimmer of optimism after unexpectedly rising in February, according to official data, challenging pessimistic forecasts amid broader concerns over weak economic expansion.
Corporate updates remain relatively sparse. Deutsche Bank has extended CEO Christian Sewing’s contract and announced the departure of two top executives in a management shake-up. Meanwhile, French videogame maker Ubisoft has created a subsidiary that includes a 1.16-billion-euro investment from China’s Tencent, signaling continued appetite for cross-border partnerships despite mounting trade uncertainties.
Traders will watch closely for further developments on tariffs and any signs of shifting risk sentiment as markets weigh the potential impact of protectionist policies on Europe’s economic recovery.
Safe-haven government bonds continue to rally. Germany’s 10-year Bund yield has dropped to its lowest level since March 5, reflecting a shift to lower-risk assets. Despite this cautious environment, British retail sales provided a glimmer of optimism after unexpectedly rising in February, according to official data, challenging pessimistic forecasts amid broader concerns over weak economic expansion.
Corporate updates remain relatively sparse. Deutsche Bank has extended CEO Christian Sewing’s contract and announced the departure of two top executives in a management shake-up. Meanwhile, French videogame maker Ubisoft has created a subsidiary that includes a 1.16-billion-euro investment from China’s Tencent, signaling continued appetite for cross-border partnerships despite mounting trade uncertainties.
Traders will watch closely for further developments on tariffs and any signs of shifting risk sentiment as markets weigh the potential impact of protectionist policies on Europe’s economic recovery.