Global stocks rise on strong earnings and trade optimism

Friday 24 October 2025 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Global stocks rise on strong earnings and trade optimism

European and Indian stock markets opened higher on Friday as positive corporate earnings reports and easing trade tensions between the United States and China lifted investor sentiment across global markets.

India's benchmark BSE Sensex gained 0.13% to open at 84,667.23, while the Nifty 50 rose 0.17% to 25,935.1 by 9:15 AM IST. Both indices have surged approximately 3% over the past six trading sessions and are now trading just 1.5% below the record levels reached in September 2024.

European markets were also set to open higher, with Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40, and Italy’s FTSE MIB all expected to start Friday’s session about 0.2% higher. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 hit a record high on Thursday, closing up 0.67% at 9,578.57 points.

Trump-Xi meeting boosts trade optimism

The White House confirmed on Thursday that President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 30 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. This will mark their first face-to-face meeting since Trump returned to power, sparking optimism in Asian markets. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index rose 0.5% on the news.

“I think we’ll end up reaching a fantastic deal with China,” Trump said on Monday, expressing confidence in resolving the trade tensions that have escalated in recent weeks. The meeting comes ahead of Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, which are set to take effect on November 1.

In India, optimism surrounding a potential Indo-U.S. trade deal supported the market rally, alongside strong earnings from key sector leaders and sustained demand during the festive season. Fifteen of the 16 major sectors posted gains at market open, though the increases remained modest.

Corporate earnings fuel European gains

Strong earnings reports drove market sentiment in Europe, with several major companies surpassing expectations. French luxury conglomerate Kering jumped 8.7% on Thursday after reporting a smaller-than-expected drop in third-quarter sales. Volvo Cars surged 39% following quarterly results that revealed an operating profit of 6.4 billion kronor ($680.4 million), beating analyst forecasts and up from 5.8 billion kronor a year earlier.

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi reported third-quarter sales growth of 7.0% and earnings per share from operations of €2.91. The company’s new pharmaceutical launches drove a 57.1% increase in sales, contributing to positive sentiment in the healthcare sector.

European energy stocks received an additional boost after Trump announced comprehensive sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. Oil prices surged 6% following the announcement, with West Texas Intermediate crude climbing to $61.79. Shares of Shell and BP both rose around 3%, helping the FTSE 100 reach its record high.