"European Stocks" European stocks started positively, semiconductor stocks performed well, while commodity stocks dragged down the UK stocks after reaching a peak

European stocks generally rose in early trading, with the pan-European index hitting a new high. The UK economy grew more than expected, leading to an initial rise in the UK stock market before it fell back, dragged down by declines in commodity stocks. Taiwan Semiconductor's quarterly results exceeded expectations, driving gains in semiconductor-related stocks.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose by 1.75 points or 0.3%, closing at 613.31 points, with an intraday high of 613.8 points; the UK FTSE 100 index fell by 7 points to 10,177 points, with an intraday high of 10,201 points; the French CAC 40 index rose by 4 points to 8,335 points; the German DAX index fell by 26 points or 0.1% to 25,260 points; the Spanish IBEX 35 index fell by 53 points or 0.3% to 17,641 points; the Italian FTSE MIB index rose by 139 points or 0.3% to 45,786 points.

Semiconductor-related stocks rose, with equipment maker ASM up 9.3%, materials supplier Soitec up 6.6%, photolithography equipment manufacturer ASML and wafer producer Siltronic up 5.3% and 4.4%, respectively. Comments from U.S. President Trump eased concerns over U.S. attacks on Iran, causing Brent crude oil to drop over 3% below $60, with oil stocks like BP down 2.3% and Repsol down 6%. Spot gold and silver fell over 3%, and miner Fresnillo dropped 3.2%.

In U.S. stock futures, Dow futures fell by 31 points or less than 0.1%, to 49,325 points; S&P 500 futures rose by 8 points or 0.1%, to 6,975 points; and Nasdaq 100 futures rose by 80 points or 0.3%, to 25,711 points.

In the Asia-Pacific stock market, Shanghai and Hong Kong stocks each fell by 0.3%, Shenzhen stocks rose by 0.4%, Taiwan and Japan stocks fell by 0.4%, and South Korean stocks closed up 1.6%, hitting a new high. The Australian stock market rose by 0.5%, New Zealand stocks fell by 0.7% after hitting a new high, Singapore stocks rose by 0.3% after hitting a new high, and Indonesian stocks rose by 0.4% after hitting a new high. Thailand and the Philippines stock markets each rose by over 1%