European Stocks Track Higher in Friday Trading; Stellantis Tanks on $26.5 Billion Write-Down

11:57 AM EST, 02/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European stock markets gained in Friday trading as the Stoxx Europe rose 0.9%, Germany's DAX gained 0.9%, the FTSE 100 was up 0.6%, France's CAC increased 0.5%, and the Swiss Market Index advanced 0.3%.

According to the European Central Bank's Q1 survey of professional forecasts, headline and core harmonized index of consumer prices inflation expectations were unchanged, as were GDP growth expectations. Unemployment rate expectations were also unchanged for 2026 and 2027, but are expected to decline slightly after that, the ECB said.

In the UK, the average house price rose 0.7% in January from December, and 1.0% from a year earlier to 300,077 pounds ($407,923), according to the Halifax House Price Index. It was the first time the average price surpassed 300,000 British pounds.

And in corporate news, Stellantis said Friday it will take a charge of 22.2 billion euros ($26.5 billion) as it realigns product plans with customer demand and new US emissions regulations, citing significantly reduced expectations for battery electric vehicle products.

The company said the charges will be recorded in H2 2025 and will include about 6.5 billion euros in cash payments expected over the next four years. Stellantis said the charge would negatively impact its H2 adjusted operating income.

Shares of the European automaker tumbled 25% in Paris.

Shares of French construction company Vinci surged more than 9% on in Paris trading after it reported strong 2025 earnings, with free cash flow rising to a record 7 billion euros ($8.3 billion) and net financial debt falling by 1.3 billion euros.

GSK said Friday the European Commission has approved Nucala for adults as an add-on maintenance treatment for uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an inflammatory lung disease.

Shares of the British pharmaceutical company gained 0.7% in London.

NatWest Group said Friday it has signed a new three-year collaboration with Rightmove to become Rightmove's exclusive mortgage lender, starting April.

Financial terms weren't provided.

Shares of NatWest rose 1.6% in London.

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