European stocks recorded significant gains on Thursday, driven by strategic decisions from the central banks of Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Swiss blue-chip index rose by nearly 0.6% after the Swiss National Bank cut the interest rate by 25 basis points, setting it at 1.25%. This move strengthens Switzerland’s position as a leader in global monetary easing.
The positive sentiment in global markets was evident, particularly among British, Swiss, and Norwegian stocks, which attracted investor interest following the recent decisions by their central banks. The Bank of England also played a crucial role by announcing its monetary policy, influencing the climate of optimism.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed the day with a 0.9% increase, reaching its highest level in a week. This performance was led by a significant rise of 1.8% in the technology sector and 1.7% in the real estate sector, both directly benefiting from expectations of looser monetary policy.

Furthermore, the stocks of blue-chip companies in Europe contributed to the optimism. Major technology and real estate firms, such as the large British and Swiss corporations, showed robust performance, reflecting renewed investor confidence in an environment of lower interest rates and ongoing economic incentives.
In summary, the combination of interest rate cuts and favorable policy decisions in the main markets of Europe has strengthened investor confidence, leading to a day of significant gains on European exchanges. The global easing of monetary policy, led by Switzerland and supported by other European nations, continues to positively impact the economic situation in the region.
ASM International (ASMI) led the technology sector with a share price increase of 5.3% after Morgan Stanley raised its recommendation from “equal-weight” to “overweight” for the semiconductor equipment supplier.
Positive sentiment prevailed in global markets, driven by the strong performance of U.S. stocks, particularly supported by the chip manufacturer Nvidia. Investors also closely monitored the interest rate decisions of three European central banks.
The Swiss blue-chip index rose by about 0.6% after the Swiss National Bank cut the interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.25%. This move reaffirms Switzerland’s leadership in the global cycle of loose monetary policy.
Kathleen Brooks, Director of Research at XTB, commented on the surprising interest rate cut, the second since March, stating it was due to a decline in inflation and aimed at influencing the foreign exchange market.
This interplay of events contributed to an optimistic atmosphere in the financial markets, highlighting the importance of monetary policy and analysts’ recommendations for the stock performance of companies like ASM International.
While the Swiss National Bank pursued a loose monetary policy and unexpectedly lowered the interest rate to 1.25% to contain a strong currency that could trigger deflation and affect exports, other central banks also influenced the global economic environment.
The Norwegian Central Bank decided to keep its key interest rate at 4.50%, the highest level in 16 years, indicating that a cut may not be expected until 2025. This decision boosted Norwegian stocks, which recorded a rise of 0.4%.
The British FTSE 100 index rose by 0.8% after the Bank of England decided to keep its interest rate unchanged. However, the prospect of a future cut became more likely as some policymakers signaled a “well-balanced” consideration in that direction.
These decisions underscore the market’s sensitivity to the monetary policy of central banks, which directly impacts stock performance and investor confidence worldwide.
The major European stock indices recorded significant gains, reflecting the optimism of the markets in light of the recent decisions of central banks and positive corporate results.
In London, the Financial Times (FTSE 100) rose by 0.82% to close at 8,272.46 points. This positive development was driven by gains in major technology companies and the positive sentiment following the Bank of England’s decision to maintain the interest rate.
In Frankfurt, the DAX rose by 1.03% to 18,254.18 points. The German market was propelled by strong performances in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, reflecting confidence in the economic recovery of the largest economy in Europe.
In Paris, the CAC-40 gained 1.34% to close at 7,671.34 points. The French index benefited from robust performances by luxury and automotive companies, as well as optimism regarding the monetary policy of the European Central Bank.
In Milan, the FTSE MIB rose by 1.37% to 33,675.15 points. Italian stocks were supported by gains in banking and energy companies, reflecting investor confidence in the economic stability of the region.
In Madrid, the IBEX 35 rose by 0.94% to close at 11,160.50 points. The Spanish market benefited from strong performances in the banking and telecommunications sectors, with investors reacting positively to the country’s economic outlook.
In Lisbon, the PSI 20 rose by 1.67% to 6,650.92 points. The Portuguese index recorded the best results among the major European indices, supported by significant gains in utilities and the tourism sector, reflecting investor optimism regarding Portugal’s ongoing economic recovery.
These results highlight a positive development in the major European exchanges and underline investor confidence in current economic policies and growth prospects. The optimism is driven not only by the decisions of central banks but also by strong sectoral performances and the gradual economic recovery following recent challenges. While markets continue to absorb new information and adjust their expectations, a cautious sentiment remains, but opportunities exist for investors closely monitoring economic and political developments in Europe and globally.