Key facts
- The STOXX 600 reached a record close for the fourth consecutive week.
- Technology stocks and positive corporate earnings drove the index higher.
- U.S. nonfarm payrolls unexpectedly declined last month.
- The jobs data diminished the likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate increase in September.
Europe's STOXX 600 index concluded the week at an all-time high, marking its fourth consecutive record close. The rally was primarily fueled by gains in technology stocks and a generally positive reception of corporate earnings reports. Investors also reacted to the latest U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, which indicated an unexpected shedding of jobs in the world's largest economy last month. This softer-than-anticipated labor market report has led to reduced expectations for an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in September.
The STOXX Europe 600 Index finished the week up 11.06 points, or 1.70%, at 660.25. This marks the largest one-week point and percentage gain since the week ending July 3, 2026. The index has now advanced for four consecutive weeks, accumulating a 2.99% gain over the last four weeks, which is also the largest such increase since the week ending July 3, 2026. This winning streak is the longest since that same period. The index has shown strength, rising 16 of the past 20 weeks and 11 of the past 14 trading days. On Friday alone, the index was up 2.06 points, or 0.31%, reaching a new record close and extending its winning streak to five consecutive trading days. The index has seen a significant rise of 21.55% from its 52-week low of 543.17 recorded on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and is up 11.49% year-to-date.