European markets jump as investors look to reverse negative slide; Stoxx 600 up 1.3%

LONDON — European stocks bounced on Wednesday as markets attempted to reverse a negative slide in the previous trading session.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 gained 1.3% in early trade, with retail stocks adding 2.7% to lead gains as all sectors and major bourses entered positive territory.

The higher open for Europe came after the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed down by 2.1% on Tuesday as fears of a recession grew in the region.

The July Sentix Economic Index on Monday showed investor morale across the 19-country euro zone has plunged to its lowest level since May 2020, pointing toward an “inevitable” recession.

On Tuesday, the euro fell to its lowest level in two decades as fears of a recession ramped up, with gas prices soaring and the Ukraine war showing no signs of abating.

U.S. stocks also fell Tuesday before staging a late recovery. Investors stateside are looking ahead to publication of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s minutes from its latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday.

U.S. data releases this week also include the June jobs report on Friday. According to Dow Jones estimates, job growth likely slowed in June, with 250,000 nonfarm payrolls added, down from 390,000 in May. Economists surveyed expect the unemployment rate to hold at 3.6%.

In Europe, euro zone retail sales data for May is set to be released. On the corporate front, GSK will hold an extraordinary annual general meeting and BMW published its second quarter sales before the bell.

Source: CNBC