European equity benchmarks closed at record highs on Tuesday as signs of easing inflation reinforced expectations for lower borrowing costs for corporates. The Euro STOXX 50 rose 1.5% to 6,326 and the STOXX 50 advanced 0.9% to 642, with both indices ending at all-time closing highs.
Flash inflation readings for June in Germany, France, and Italy all came in below expectations, bolstering confidence that the inflation spike linked to the war in the Middle East has peaked. In response, rate traders increased positions that price out further ECB hikes this year, pushing sovereign bond yields lower and brightening the outlook for credit conditions.
Financials benefited, with UniCredit, BNP Paribas, and ING each gaining close to 2%. Siemens and Siemens Energy climbed 4.4% and 5.4%, respectively, after brokers upgraded their data center growth assumptions. The global rally in semiconductor stocks also continued, sending ASML up 7%.
Outside the STOXX 50, Abivax surged 40% after encouraging signals from a study of its obefazimod drug candidate.
