STOXX 600 and Germany's DAX Hit Record Highs as European Corporate Profits Jump 22 Percent

According to a report by Donya-e-Eqtesad published Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (20 Mordad 1405), Europe's main stock indices, including the STOXX 600, Germany's DAX, Britain's FTSE and the French and Spanish benchmarks, have hit fresh record highs in recent weeks. Citing FactSet data, the report said European corporate earnings for the second quarter of 2026 could rise about 22 percent from a year earlier, which would mark the best performance since 2022. An index of European bank stocks has also gained more than 21 percent since the start of the calendar year. The report cited some investors' concern over the US market's heavy concentration in technology and artificial intelligence stocks as one reason for Europe's growing appeal to international investors.