European Equities Close Mixed in Monday Trading; EU Trade Surplus Falls Sharply

12:04 PM EDT, 08/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mixed in Monday trading as The Stoxx Europe 600 edged 0.01% higher, Germany's DAX was down 0.23%, the FTSE 100 rose 0.21%, France's CAC dropped 0.50%, and the Swiss Market Index fell 0.26%.

The S&P Global UK Consumer Sentiment Index reading rose to 47.0 in August from 45.1 in July, according to S&P. However, it remains below the 50-point threshold that indicates a deterioration in conditions. The survey gauges household financial wellbeing, labor market conditions, household spending, savings and debt.

"This positive shift occurs against a backdrop of subdued UK economic performance," Maryam Baluch, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said in a statement. "Lower borrowing costs could provide a further boost to consumer sentiment."

Preliminary estimates of the euro area's trade balance indicated a trade surplus in goods of 7 billion euros ($8.17 billion) with the rest of the world in June, compared with 20.7 billion euros a year earlier, and 16.5 billion euros in May, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU.

In corporate news, Novo Nordisk said Monday it is partnering with GoodRx to offer Ozempic and Wegovy pens at $499 per month.

The Danish pharmaceutical company also said Friday that the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new indication for semaglutide to treat adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis, without cirrhosis.

Shares of Novo Nordisk advanced 6.6% in Copenhagen.

UK-based Diginex said Monday it has agreed to acquire Danish ESG data company Matter DK in a deal that values the company $13 million.

Diginex said it will pay for the acquisition by issuing ordinary shares valued at $83.77 each that are subject to an 18-month lock-up period. The company also said Matter senior management will be granted $2.5 million worth of Diginex shares that will vest in equal proportions over 12 and 24 months.

The acquisition is expected to close in Q4, subject to customary closing conditions, Diginex said.

Shares of Diginex fell 7.4% in Frankfurt.

Fubo said Monday that its French unit Molotov has signed a non-exclusive carriage deal with Ligue 1 for the 2025-2026 season. Financial details of the deal were not provided.

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