European stocks close firm on earnings, easing political tensions

European stocks closed firmly higher on Thursday as earnings momentum in technology outweighed broader risks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 gained 0.8%, helped by a jump in investor confidence after U.S. chipmaker Micron reported stronger-than-expected earnings and raised its revenue forecast. Indexes followed suit: the UK’s FTSE 100 rose 0.65%, Germany’s DAX climbed 1.03%, and France’s CAC 40 ended 0.55% up, while Switzerland’s SMI added 0.81%. The article also links the upbeat session to easing concerns around the Middle East conflict. In the UK, 3i Group surged 11.5% after noting expectations for profit growth at discount retailer Action and reporting €699m in cash after dividend payments. In Germany, Bayer jumped nearly 19% following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roundup-related cases. In France, companies such as Accor and Vinci gained, while Thales fell about 3.1%. On the data front, Germany’s consumer sentiment improved in July, moving to -29.2 from -29.7.