October brought a sharper euro-area inflation reading alongside gains in European equities, as traders responded to U.S. election results and company earnings, leaving global markets with competing signals.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, estimated annual inflation at 4%, compared with 3.8% in September. It reported energy prices 20.8% above their year-earlier level. The 4% figure is a flash estimate, with Eurostat’s full October release still to come. The inflation reading rose even as European shares gained during Wednesday’s trading.
Anadolu Agency reported the STOXX Europe 600 finished Wednesday at 658.02, up 1.91%. Spain’s IBEX 35 ended at 19,370.90 after adding 3%, the strongest move among major regional indexes, Anadolu said.
Democrats won control of the U.S. House and Senate, Anadolu reported. The agency said investors interpreted the outcome as a check on President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. It linked support for European shares to company results and a decline in oil prices. Brent crude was at $94.47 a barrel after falling nearly 9%, the outlet reported.
Shares in Heidelberg Materials climbed 9.5%, according to Anadolu. In its quarterly results, Heidelberg Materials said its result from current operations increased 9% to €1.281 billion and revenue grew 10% to €6.413 billion. The company pointed to growth in Europe and North America, alongside pricing and cost management and productivity gains. It maintained its 2026 outlook for a result from current operations of €3.40 billion to €3.65 billion.
EconoTimes previously previewed Eurostat’s October inflation estimate. Eurostat has scheduled the complete October inflation data for Nov. 18 and the November flash estimate for Dec. 1.
