FX.co ★ European Stocks Mostly Rise, France Lags

European equities mostly advanced on Monday, with the STOXX 50 up 0.2% and the broader STOXX 600 rising 0.3%. Spanish stocks led regional gains, climbing more than 1% after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for November 29 following a parliamentary setback for his government. In contrast, French shares underperformed, with the CAC 40 losing about 1% as investors remained wary of the country’s fiscal trajectory and political uncertainty ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The pressure on French assets was also evident in the euro, which slipped to a 17‑month low. Schneider Electric was among the heaviest decliners, tumbling more than 9% after unveiling plans to acquire US software company PTC for $22.6 billion—its largest deal to date—stoking investor concerns. Providing some offset, Banco Santander gained more than 4% during the session, lending support to the broader market.