European Stocks End the Week with Gains

The main European stock index rose today, Friday, closing higher for the second consecutive week, as investors assessed data from Germany for insights into the country's economic outlook. The Stoxx 600 index increased by 0.4%, finishing the week with a gain of 0.9%, as investors focused on corporate earnings and the potential for interest rate cuts. Weekly, real estate stocks declined, while shares of media and retail companies performed the best. The chemical sector led today's gains, rising by 0.9%, with BASF shares climbing 1.8% after Bloomberg reported that Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is exploring the possibility of acquiring its Wintershall Dea unit.