European stocks lost ground on Friday, set for their biggest percentage drop in more than five weeks, as signs of persistent US price pressures and a recovering euro zone economy dashed hopes of interest rate cuts from major central banks this year.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.7%, as of 0710 GMT.
US stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday as an initial euphoria following upbeat outlook from chip giant Nvidia faded after economic data showed inflation was still a concern, potentially delaying any Federal Reserve rate cuts.
The German two-year bond yield hit its highest in six months on Thursday after a survey showed euro zone business activity has expanded at its fastest pace in a year this month.
It traded just below those levels on Friday.
Europe’s rate-sensitive technology shares took the biggest hit, down 1.4%, followed by utilities and banks.
Europe’s STOXX 600 ends flat as rate worries offset AI cheer
Shares of Renault rose 2.4% after the French carmaker announced a share buyback plan and UBS upgraded the stock to “neutral” from “sell”.
Britain’s National Grid rebounded nearly 8% after Thursday’s more than 10% plunge when it announced plans to raise about 7 billion pounds ($8.9 billion).
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