European Equities Close Mostly Higher in Thursday Trading; Swiss Central Bank Leaves Rates Unchanged

BY MT Newswires | ECONOMIC | 12/11/25 12:14 PM EST

12:14 PM EST, 12/11/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mostly higher in Thursday trading as The Stoxx Europe gained 0.52%, Germany's DAX rose 0.68%, the FTSE 100 was up 0.49%, and France's CAC advanced 0.79%, while the Swiss Market Index was off 0.13%.

In Switzerland, the Swiss National Bank left its policy rate unchanged at 0%. The SNB said that although inflation has been slightly lower than expected in recent months, inflationary pressure over the medium term is "virtually unchanged" from its last monetary policy assessment.

In Italy, total labor input used by the economy in terms of hours worked increased 0.7% in Q3 from Q2, and rose 2% from a year earlier, according to the Italian National Statistical Institute.

And in corporate news, STMicroelectronics said Thursday that it has signed a 500 million euros ($585 million) financing agreement with the European Investment Bank as the first tranche of a 1 billion euro credit line to strengthen Europe's semiconductor industry.

Shares of the French semiconductor company were off 0.7% in Paris.

Manchester United reported a fiscal Q1 adjusted loss Thursday of 0.015 British pounds ($0.02) per diluted share, widening from a loss of 0.002 pounds a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was 140.3 million pounds, compared with 143.1 million pounds a year earlier. Two analysts surveyed by FactSet expected 140.6 million pounds.

For fiscal 2026, the company reiterated its prior guidance of total revenue of 640 million pounds to 660 million pounds. Three analysts polled by FactSet estimate 655.3 million pounds.

Shares of the English soccer club were up 1.1% in London.

Equinor, along with partners Var Energi and Petoro, unveiled Thursday plans to invest more than 4 billion Norwegian kroner ($396.1 million) on the Isflak oil discovery made in the Barents Sea.

Recoverable oil in the new subsea development is estimated at 46 million barrels, and a kick-off is planned as early as Q4 2028, the companies said. The field, put on stream in March, is now producing 220,000 barrels per day.

Shares of the Norwegian petroleum refiner gained 0.7% in Oslo.

Stellantis' Ram truck brand said Thursday it has formed a multi-year partnership with TKO Group to become the official truck partner of TKO's sports and entertainment properties.

The agreement includes the world wrestling organization WWE; the mixed martial arts organization UFC, and the bull-riding organization PBR, the companies said.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Shares of the automaker declined 1.6% in Paris.

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In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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