European Markets Fail To Hold Gains, Close Weak

European markets fail to hold gains, close weak. The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 0.5% after spending much of the session in positive territory, with the UK’s FTSE 100 down 1.41% and Germany’s DAX down 0.74%, while France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.05% and Switzerland’s SMI gained 0.27%. Across the region, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Türkiye closed weak. Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland and Russia ended higher, while Austria closed flat. Germany’s April exports rose 0.9% month-on-month, beating expectations after March’s 0.3% rise; imports grew 1.2%, narrowing the trade surplus to about EUR 14.5 billion. Destatis data came as Germany reported ongoing Middle East tensions affected sentiment, with Israel targeting in Lebanon contributing to the cautious mood ahead of Thursday’s ECB meeting.