European stock markets closed slightly higher on the 27th, extending modest gains. Concerns over the Middle East situation temporarily eased after the United States paused strikes on Iran and Iran indicated it would refrain from attacks. In London, the FTSE 100 rose 0.42% to 10,781.75, and the FTSE 250 gained 0.41%. Telecom giant Vodafone climbed 4.8% after raising its full-year core profit outlook, while pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca advanced 1.7% as quarterly earnings beat market expectations. The STOXX Europe 600 edged up 0.02% to 644.62. The technology index fell 1.73%, with ASML Holding dropping 8.4%, while the travel and leisure index rose 1.92% amid lower oil prices. In eurozone bonds, Germany's 10-year yield fell 5 basis points to 3.124%, and the 2-year yield declined 4.3 basis points to 2.777%, as expectations for ECB rate hikes receded.
AstraZeneca PLCQuarterly earnings beat market expectations.
Vodafone Group PLCRaised full-year core profit outlook.
ASML Holding N.V.Technology index fell 1.73%, with ASML dropping 8.4% amid sector weakness.