European markets close higher amid trade uncertainty; FTSE 100 extends winning streak

European stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors closely monitored persistent trade uncertainty.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index provisionally ended up 0.38%, with most sectors in the green. All major bourses were in positive territory, with Germany’s DAX index up 0.5%.

In a choppy trading session, Britain’s FTSE index eked out gains of 0.1% to extend its winning streak for a ninth trading day, notching its longest positive run since 2019.

Regional markets had followed their global counterparts higher on Wednesday as concerns about a trade war between the U.S. and China receded.

U.S. stocks also surged on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he didn’t plan to remove Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell from his post as central bank leader. Market sentiment had dipped in recent days amid concerns that the central bank’s independence could have been compromised.

However, the S&P 500 opened flat on Thursday, while Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed overnight as a possible thaw in U.S.-China trade war fueled investor optimism.

Corporate earnings were also in focus in Europe on Thursday. Kering shares were 2% lower at 12:52 p.m., after the luxury giant’s first-quarter earnings disappointed markets.

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