07.08.202616:18:26UTC+00European Stocks Close at Records

European equities finished higher on Friday, mirroring gains in other major global markets as industrial and technology shares rebounded. The Euro STOXX 50 advanced 0.4% to 6,530, while the STOXX Europe 600 also climbed 0.4% to 661.

Software producers and AI-related infrastructure manufacturers rose for a second consecutive session, following similar strength in US peers. SAP gained 4.1%, and Infineon and Siemens each added nearly 3%.

Sanofi and Argenx both rose 1.3%, capping a strong week for the European pharmaceutical sector.

In contrast, Allianz slipped 1.6% despite reporting record second-quarter profits in both its insurance and asset management divisions. Munich Re also declined, falling 1.5% even as it posted higher profits for the period.