Key Takeaways
- European equity markets displayed a mixed performance on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 and CAC 40 experiencing declines, while the DAX registered a modest gain.
- European car stocks suffered a significant downturn, plunging 4.4% to reach levels not seen since early August, marking their largest daily drop since March.
- India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the "historic Gaza peace plan" and "good progress" on trade negotiations, agreeing to remain in close communication.
- Oracle (ORCL) shares rose 2.8% after Baird initiated coverage of the software giant with an 'Outperform' rating.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that a process has been set in motion to help restore external electricity to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
European stock markets saw varied movements on Thursday, October 9, 2025, as investors digested a mix of corporate news and geopolitical developments. Britain's FTSE 100 fell by 0.35%, France's CAC 40 was down 0.18%, and Spain's IBEX declined by 0.48%. In contrast, Germany's DAX managed a gain of 0.22%. The broader STOXX 600 was also down 0.3%.
A notable sector-specific event was the 4.4% decline in European car stocks, reaching their lowest levels since early August and marking their largest daily drop since March. This downturn comes amidst ongoing challenges for the auto industry, including a slower-than-expected shift to electric vehicles and intense competition.
In diplomatic news, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, congratulating him on the success of the "historic Gaza peace plan". The leaders also reviewed "good progress" on trade negotiations and agreed to stay in close touch in the coming weeks. French President Emmanuel Macron also emphasized the decisiveness of the coming hours in cementing peace in Gaza. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were reported to have landed in Israel, indicating continued diplomatic efforts in the region.
On the corporate front, Oracle (ORCL) saw its stock rise by 2.8% after Baird initiated coverage with an 'Outperform' grade. Analysts at Baird highlighted Oracle's strong position to capitalize on the convergence of artificial intelligence, data, and cloud infrastructure spending.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that a process has been initiated to restore external electricity to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). This development aims to enhance nuclear safety and security at the plant, which has faced significant challenges during the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously stated that Russian forces cut power lines to the ZNPP during its seizure.
In the mining sector, reports circulated about a Pierre Lassonde consortium's proposal to acquire Teck Resources' (TECK) coal business, aiming to thwart Glencore (GLEN). However, it is important to note that Teck had previously announced the completion of the sale of its remaining 77% interest in its steelmaking coal business to Glencore plc in July 2024, for total cash proceeds of US$7.3 billion.
Finally, post-Brexit border checks are reportedly just weeks away, with infrastructure at Dover still under construction, raising concerns for travelers starting this Sunday.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.