European Stocks Close Mostly Higher in Thursday Trading; GDP Expands in Germany, UK

12:28 PM EST, 01/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European stock markets closed mostly higher Thursday as the Stoxx Europe rose 0.5%, Germany's DAX 40 gained 0.3%, the FTSE 100 climbed 0.5%, and the Swiss Market Index increased 0.1%. France's CAC 40 eased 0.2%.

In Germany, annual gross domestic product grew 0.2% in 2025, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

In the UK, GDP grew an estimated 0.3% in November after registering a 0.1% contraction in October, according to the Office for National Statistics. Analysts expected 0.1% growth, according to Bloomberg.

In France, the consumer price index gained 0.1% in December from November, according to the Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies, which attributed the increase to rising services prices. Analysts expected 0.1%.

In Spain, the consumer price index rose 0.3% in December from November, and 2.9% from a year earlier, according to the Spanish Statistical Institute. Both readings matched estimates.

Seasonally adjusted industrial production rose 0.7% in the euro area and 0.2% in the EU in November from October, according to preliminary estimates from Eurostat.

Industrial production increased by 2.5% in the euro area from a year earlier and by 2.2% in the EU.

In corporate news, Sanofi and Disc Medicine had reviews for their type 1 diabetes and rare blood disorder drugs postponed after the US Food and Drug Administration flagged safety and efficacy concerns, Reuters reported.

Separately, Sanofi said China's National Medical Products Administration approved Myqorzo to treat obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Redemplo to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with familial chylomicronaemia syndrome.

Shares of Sanofi fell 1.1% in Paris.

HSBC is assessing interest from investors for a significant risk transfer linked to a portfolio of 2 billion euros ($2.33 billion) worth of investment-grade corporate loans, Bloomberg News reported.

Shares of the British bank rose 2.1% in London.

TotalEnergies' $20 billion liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique is expected to restart within a few weeks, Bloomberg reported, citing Daniel Chapo, the country's president.

Shares of the French oil and gas company were off 0.5% in Paris.

Rio Tinto entered a two-year agreement with Amazon Web Services to supply Nuton copper for components used in US data centers.

Shares of the mining company gained 1.8% in London.

Ericsson proposed 1,600 job cuts in Sweden to reduce costs. The company submitted a notice to the Swedish Public Employment Service and initiated negotiations with trade unions.

Shares of the Swedish telecommunications company rose 1.6% in Stockholm.

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