European stocks mostly edged higher, with defensive sectors attracting capital inflows

According to Gate data, European stock indices mostly rose in early trading, showing a relatively resilient market performance. Strong earnings reports and investor rotation into defensive sectors drove the Euro Stoxx 600 index higher, despite persistent selling pressure led by the semiconductor sector. The UK's FTSE 100 index also maintained its uptrend, gaining approximately 0.5% intraday, as rising oil prices boosted energy stocks such as Shell and BP. France's CAC 40 index rose 0.5%, with Kering surging 11% after releasing its earnings report, leading the broader luxury goods sector higher. Germany's DAX index increased by 0.3%, with Deutsche Bank rising 5.3% following the announcement of a new share buyback program, serving as the main driver of the index's gains. The Netherlands' AEX index edged up 0.05%; against a backdrop of overall weakness in tech stocks, semiconductor equipment company ASM International fell over 6%, but chemical group IMCD rose 9%, partially offsetting the drag from the technology sector. Spain's IBEX 35 index fell 0.65%.