European stocks started April on a firm footing, with the STOXX 50 climbing 2.6% and the STOXX 600 advancing 2.4%, rebounding after their weakest month since 2022 in March. Sentiment improved in line with global markets amid optimism that tensions with Iran could soon ease, following comments from President Trump suggesting the US might end its military involvement within two to three weeks and hand over responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz to other countries. In response, oil prices fell by roughly 4%.
Technology, financials, and industrials led the rally, while the energy sector lagged. Among individual stocks, ASML Holding (+4.0%), HSBC Holdings (+3.1%), Hermès (+3.0%), Siemens (+4.5%), Schneider Electric (+4.3%), and Banco Santander (+4.8%) registered strong gains. In contrast, energy names Repsol (-4.7%), Eni (-4.6%), and TotalEnergies (-2.3%) were among the session’s weakest performers.
