European Stocks Close Mixed Friday; GDP Shrinks in EU, Euro Area in Q1

11:48 AM EDT, 06/05/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mixed Friday as the Stoxx Europe declined 0.2%, Germany's DAX was down 0.6%, the FTSE 100 gained 0.2%, France's CAC was off 0.3%, and the Swiss Market Index increased 0.3%.

Seasonally adjusted GDP declined by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU in Q1, compared with the previous quarter, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. GDP had increased by 0.2% in both areas in Q4 of 2025.

Denmark registered the highest growth in Q1 at 1.9%, while the largest contraction was in Ireland at 12.1%.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority said Friday it is investigating Microsoft over whether the technology giant should be designated as having Strategic Market Status in its business software ecosystem under the country's digital markets regime.

The watchdog said it is examining Microsoft's position in the market and has launched customer research to understand how UK businesses purchase Microsoft software, the alternatives available to them, and how easily they can switch providers.

In corporate news, HSBC's private banking unit in Switzerland has been formally implicated in allegations that it helped former Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh embezzle $330 million, Le Monde reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources involved in a French investigation.

After two days of interrogations, two judges overseeing the proceedings charged the HSBC Private Bank Suisse with money laundering and conspiracy to commit offenses including embezzlement of public funds, breach of trust, or bribery of a public official, the report said.

HSBC told MT Newswires in an email that it declines to comment on a legal matter, but added that they are continuing to cooperate in an ongoing investigation.

Shares of HSBC declined 0.2% in London.

BP agreed to subscribe for 10 million British pounds ($13.5 million) in convertible loan notes and secure exclusive crude oil marketing rights in new agreements, Coastal Africa Group said Thursday.

The debt will mature in 4 years and carry an interest rate of the compounded daily SONIA plus 3% annually, the company said.

Shares of the British oil and gas company gained 0.2% in London.

Eni said Friday it has signed a petroleum exploration, development and production license agreement with the government of Gambia for the block A1 offshore the republic.

The company said the deal marks its entry into Gambia.

Shares of Eni edged 0.1% higher in Milan.

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