European stock markets bounce higher; bond yields tumble as oil slides

European stock markets have also bounced higher, while government borrowing costs retreated, as oil prices slid on reports that more supplies are passing through the Gulf than though.

The UK’s FTSE 100 index rose 0.36% to 10,697, up nearly 40 points. Germany’s Dax gained nearly 0.7%, France’s CAC rose 0.6%, Italy’s FTSE MiB advanced 0.74% and Spain’s Ibex is up 0.5%.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 rose 0.65%, led by technology and travel stocks.

The tech sub-index increased 1.9% as chip-linked stocks Soitec jumped 4.6% and Aixtron advanced 3.9%.

France’s Soitec manufactures substrates that are used to make semiconductors, used in smartphones, tablets and computers while Germany’s Aixtron, founded by university researchers in 1983 as a spin-out from RWTH Aachen University, also produces components for chipmakers.

US stock futures are pointing to a stronger open on Wall Street later, suggesting the tech-heavy Nasdaq could rise almost 1%.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, is down 2% (or $2.1) at $101.78 a barrel, the lowest in more than a week. This has triggered hopes of lower inflationary pressures, and pushed government bond yields lower after Friday’s turmoil, sparked by expectations of a steeper path for interest rates.

The yield, or interest rate, on the 10-year UK gilt fell nearly 7 basis points to 5.241%.

Italy’s 10-year yield dropped 9 basis points to 4.355%, after jumping 10bps on Friday. The equivalent French yield fell 10bps to 4.47%, after rising 12.5bps on Friday. The German 10-year yield eased 5ps to 3.47%, wiping out Friday’s increase.

Share

Updated at 

Key events

Fixed-rate UK mortgage costs jump to multi-year highs

Fixed-rate mortgage costs have jumped to multi-year highs in the UK.

The average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate rose to 5.88%, its highest since 16 April and up from 5.84% last Friday, while the average five-year is at its highest since October 2023, at 5.92%, up from 5.88%.

Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts, said:

double quotation markBorrowers will be frustrated to see fixed mortgage rates soar, with around £150 added to monthly mortgage payments, based on a typical mortgage [of £250,000 over 25 years], since the start of March 2026. There were notable rate hikes last week from the major brands, some increasing for the second time this month to catch up with rising swap rates.

The average two-year fixed rate is approaching its highest point seen this year, rising by over 1% since the start of March, and the average five-year fixed is now back to highs not seen since October 2023, the month after the infamous mini-budget.

In the months ahead, remortgage business is expected to boom, so any borrower coming off a cheap fixed rate must seek advice. It could be a good opportunity for lenders to consider extending their product transfer windows while rates remain volatile, giving existing customers more time to secure a new deal while also helping lenders protect their mortgage books.

The interest rate on a typical two-year mortgage fixed deal of £250,000 over 25 years has risen from 4.84% in March to 5.88%.

There are now 7,419 residential mortgage products available, down slightly from 7,435 at the end of last week.

Share

#Global #stock #markets #bounce #higher #government #bond #yields #tumble #oil #slides #business #live #Business