European Shares Extend Gains Amid Easing Bond Yields, Led by Construction and Utilities

European shares advanced on Friday, bolstered by broad-based gains across sectors as government bond yields continued to decline. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.4% by 0815 GMT, positioning the index for a fourth consecutive weekly gain, with a weekly jump exceeding 1.5%.

Key Sector Performances

The construction and materials sector led the charge, climbing 0.8%, while utilities followed closely with a 0.7% increase. These sectors capitalized on the favorable market sentiment as bond yields retreated.

The yield on Germany’s 10-year bund dropped for the third consecutive session to 2.494%, reflecting eased pressure on borrowing costs across the region.

UK’s FTSE 100 Outpaces Peers

The UK’s FTSE 100 outperformed its European counterparts, gaining 0.8%. The rally came despite a surprise decline in British retail sales for December, which contributed to a streak of lackluster economic data. The weak retail performance added fuel to market expectations of a Bank of England interest rate cut at its upcoming meeting.

Notable Stock Moves

Mining stocks were among the top performers, with Glencore climbing 1.9% and Rio Tinto’s London-listed shares rising 1.2%. Reports from Reuters revealed that Glencore approached Rio Tinto late last year with a proposal to merge the two copper giants. However, discussions have since ceased.

With bond yields easing and expectations for supportive central bank policies growing, European markets appear poised for continued strength. Investors are likely to monitor next week’s economic data and central bank announcements for further direction.