European stock markets ended trading with significant gains

European stock markets ended yesterday's trading with a significant increase – all major stock indexes showed strengthening against the background of falling yields of government bonds of the countries of the region.

In particular, the Stoxx 600 composite index of Europe's largest enterprises rose by 1.72% to 474.10 points by the close of trading. 

The French CAC 40 index rose to 7,146.31. 

The German DAX – to 15,513.94.

The British FTSE 100 reached 7,657.93 points. 

The Spanish IBEX 35 increased to 8,850.20, and the Italian FTSE MIB – to 27,128.99.  

The yield on Germany's 10-year government bonds fell by almost 5 basis points to 0.22% on Wednesday. The same indicator for 10-year Italian securities also fell by 5 bps – to 1.79%. As you know, a decrease in the yield of bonds increases the attractiveness of stocks as instruments for investment – this is especially true of securities of companies from the technological sector of the economy. 

In addition, market participants followed the ongoing corporate reporting season. Thus, the price of securities of the Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor ASA increased by 1.4%. On the back of strong quarterly results, the company decided to raise its dividends and increase its share repurchase program.

Danish transport and logistics company A.P. Moller-Maersk AS completed the fourth quarter of 2021 with record revenue, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) and net profit. Such an increase was caused by a jump in the cost of freight in the face of growing consumer demand with continuing problems in supply chains. The company's shares rose by 7.2%.

Shares of the British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline lost 1.4% in price. The company increased its net profit and revenue in the fourth quarter of 2021, while revenue was stronger than forecasts, and profit did not meet expectations.