[MARKET ANALYSIS] European bourses gain on lower energy prices; IFX GY jumps post-earnings

European bourses (STOXX 600 +0.5%) are firmer across the board, benefiting from the pressure across the energy space with negotiations ongoing on both the Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran fronts. As it stands, major indices are stronger by 0.2%-1.3%; the FTSE MIB outperforms. European sectors hold a strong positive bias. Banks sit at the top of the pile, joined closely by Construction and then Industrials. Unsurprisingly, Energy lags given the pressure seen in underlying oil prices. As for key movers this morning: Infineon (+4.3%) gained following decent headline metrics, and FY27 outlook impressed, amidst growing AI demand. Sticking with earnings, Vodafone (-1.8%) slips despite lifting outlook, but adj. earnings did fall. Elsewhere, BT (-0.7%) opted to pause its tie-up with SpaceX’s Starlink, amidst the recent Ukraine controversy. Finally, Ferrexpo (-5.5%) shares tumbled after temporarily halting production in Ukraine. US equity futures are mixed and trade on either side of the unchanged mark. Earlier, contracts moved a touch off best levels following hawkish remarks from the Fed’s Waller. He mentioned that further tightening is needed, and shared his openness to a larger 50bps rate hike if Oct core CPI (M/M) printed at 0.3% or above. The report is set to be published today, where consensus for the core is at 0.2%.