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Eurozone Q2 GDP Grows 0.4% as US Markets Rally on Microsoft Earnings
Eurostat reported that the euro‑area economy expanded by 0.4 % in the second quarter of 2026, twice the 0.2 % growth forecast by analysts. The surprise was driven by strong performances in Ireland, which posted a 3.9 % increase, and modest gains in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, each around 0.2 %.
In the United States, the Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged in the 3.50‑3.75 % range. The decision, coupled with expectations of lower inflation, helped lift equity markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 1.2 % to roughly 52,200 points, the S&P 500 gained 1.7 % to around 7,438 points, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped near 2.8 % to about 25,120 points. Technology shares were boosted by Microsoft’s quarterly results, which beat expectations and sent the stock up roughly 15‑16 %, sparking broader optimism in the sector. Energy prices also rose, with Brent crude futures topping US$90 a barrel after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets, adding to the market dynamic.
Entities
Brent crude · Brent crude · CAC 40 · Danone · Dow Jones Industrial Average · Euro Stoxx 50 · Euro Stoxx 50 · EuroStoxx 50 · Eurostat · Eurozone · Federal Reserve · Hermes International
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kering shares rose nearly 17% on the day.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Hermes International shares fell about 11% on the day.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Brent crude price rose 8.1% to $90.89 per barrel. www.arabnews.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] EuroStoxx 50 fell 0.65% to 6,248.84 points.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Meta and Microsoft are scheduled to release quarterly earnings.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The US Federal Reserve will announce its interest‑rate decision in the evening.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Eni shares jumped 7.1%.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Rheinmetall shares rose 6.1% after strong earnings.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The FTSE 100 rose about 0.34% and neared a record high. www.arabnews.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Euro Stoxx 50 index fell about 0.6‑0.7% to around 6,248 points.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Federal Reserve’s interest‑rate decision was expected that evening. www.arabnews.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Oil prices rose after renewed U.S.–Iran tensions in the Middle East. www.arabnews.fr