European stocks closed the week lower on Friday, with the STOXX 600 index hitting a two-week low. Investors cited concerns over growth and inflation from the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupting energy supplies. While technology shares gained, healthcare and financial sectors declined.
The STOXX 600 index fell sharply, ending a four-week gaining streak and reaching its lowest level in two weeks. Most regional markets followed suit, reflecting broader unease among investors. The Middle East conflict has raised fears of energy supply disruptions, stoking worries about inflation and economic growth, as reported by The Economic Times. Brent crude oil futures were mentioned in connection with rising energy prices, though specific figures were not detailed in market updates. German business sentiment also factored into the downturn, contributing to negative sentiment across the region. Technology stocks provided a bright spot, buoyed by strong results from SAP, which reported robust Q1 profit driven by cloud demand. In contrast, healthcare and financial sectors lagged behind. Keywords highlighted in coverage included European equities, MidEast conflict, energy prices, STOXX 600 index, and SAP's performance.
