European markets experienced a mixed close on Monday, with London’s FTSE 100 (^FTSE) ending slightly down after an initially positive start. In contrast, Germany’s DAX (^GDAXI) closed up by 0.4%, and Paris’ CAC (^FCHI) rose by 0.9%.
The broader STOXX 600 (^STOXX) saw a modest increase of 0.1%. Across the Atlantic, US markets showed resilience despite recent uncertainties, with the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC), S&P 500 (^GSPC), and Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) all gaining around 0.2%.
Investor sentiment has been cautious following indications from the Federal Reserve of a potential single rate cut before year-end, with markets anticipating a possible reduction by September.
London reclaimed its status as Europe’s largest equity market after French stocks took a hit last week, prompted by President Emmanuel Macron’s call for a snap election, which saw the CAC index fall by 6.2%, leaving France’s market valuation at $3.1tn, just behind the UK’s $3.2tn.