European stocks closed higher on Friday, extending a winning streak to seven months. Investors reacted to corporate earnings and news of a US presidential nominee for the Federal Reserve. Banks led gains, with Spanish lender Caixabank seeing a significant rise. Swiss watchmaker Swatch and German sportswear maker Adidas also reported positive results. However, some companies faced weaker-than-expected earnings.
India defies West Asia war concerns as Q4 GDP growth hits 7.8%; risks remain ahead
India’s economy surged by a better-than-expected 7.8% in the March quarter, exceeding forecasts and pushing FY26 growth to 7.7%. This robust performance was driven by