20.03.202608:37:35UTC+00European Stocks Set for Third Straight Weekly Loss

European equities rebounded on Friday, with the STOXX 50 rising 1.2% and the STOXX 600 up 0.9%. The recovery, driven in part by falling oil prices, followed sharp losses in the previous session after cautious guidance from regional central banks weighed on sentiment. Financials and technology stocks led the advance. Notable gainers included ASML Holding (+1.6%), HSBC Holdings (+1.1%), LVMH (+1.4%), L’Oréal (+1.4%) and Siemens (+1.4%). Unilever climbed 1.4% amid reports it is in talks with McCormick & Company to sell its foods division. Infineon was a standout, jumping 5.1% to top the STOXX 600 after JPMorgan upgraded the stock, citing stronger demand tied to AI-driven power technologies. On the downside, Maersk (-3.8%), BP (-2.4%) and Repsol (-1.7%) were among the weakest performers. Despite Friday’s gains, the STOXX 50 fell 1.7% and the STOXX 600 lost 2.1% over the week, marking a third consecutive weekly decline.