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STOXX 600 ON THE RISE

European shares broadly ticked higher on Thursday as the U.S.-China summit, the Iran war, and the global tech frenzy were all in play for markets.

The cross-regional STOXX 600 .STOXX was last 0.42% higher, on track for its second consecutive day of gains. Tech stocks .SX8P led the sweep higher, up 1.1%.

The DAX .GDAXI was last 1.2% higher, and the CAC .FCHI rose 0.6%.

The FTSE 100 .FTSE meanwhile nudged 0.2% higher as UK markets contended with domestic political uncertainty as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership hangs in the balance and speculation about potential challengers swirled.

Data also showed that Britain's economy grew unexpectedly in March to cap another strong first quarter.

Spire Healthcare SPI.L shares soared over 47% after saying it received a buyout proposal, while Legal & General LGEN.L shares rose nearly 6% following an FT report that cited sources saying buyers were circling the insurer and quoting the CEO as saying the company was not considering a sale.

Telefonia TEF.MC shares were last 5.8% higher after the Spanish company said it was on track to meet its 2026 targets after first-quarter results came in broadly in line with expectations.

Meanwhile, 3iGroup III.L shares tumbled, last down 14.5%, after reporting results.

(Sophie Kiderlin)

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