British News Agency

Across Europe, the Stoxx 600 index rose 0.1% shortly after the opening, while London’s FTSE 100 and France’s CAC 40 gained 0.3%. Germany’s DAX index traded flat.

On Friday, more European companies, including Air Liquide, Danone, Sika, Anglo American and Kingspan Group, are set to release their earnings.

Mining giant Anglo American reported adjusted underlying earnings of $6.4 billion for 2025, up from $6.3 billion the previous year, driven by strong performance in copper and premium iron ore as well as significant cost savings of $1.8 billion throughout the year. Its net debt declined to $8.6 billion.

However, due to challenging market conditions, the group posted a net loss of $3.7 billion, largely due to a $2.3 billion pre-tax impairment of its De Beers diamond unit. Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad said the company had made progress on the separation of De Beers.

Investors are also reviewing economic data, including UK retail sales figures, Germany’s producer price data and flash PMI indicators for the UK, France, Germany and the Eurozone.

According to the UK Office for National Statistics, retail sales are estimated to have risen to 1.8% in January 2026 from 0.4% in December 2025, signaling a boost to the economy. Sales volumes also increased by 4.5% year-on-year.

UK public finance data released on Friday showed that the public sector recorded a surplus of £30.4 billion ($40.8 billion) in January 2026, double the level of a year earlier. Public borrowing since the start of the fiscal year in April 2025 totaled £112.1 billion, 11.5% lower than the same period a year ago.

Following the data release, the British pound fell 0.1% against the dollar to trade at $1.344. Yields on UK government bonds, known as gilts, edged higher. The 10-year gilt rose by less than one basis point to 4.376%, while the 2-year gilt increased by one basis point to 3.588%.