Europe open: Stoxx hits fresh highs on opening day of 2026

(Sharecast News) - European markets hit a new intra-day high on the first trading day of the year, carrying on from gains made in 2025. The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.23% to 594.14 at 0815 GMT having touched 594.20 in early deals.

Major bourses followed suit, with Germany's DAX up 0.35%, France's CAC rising 0.28% and the UK's FTSE 100 nudging towards record territory itself with a 0.5% jump.

The benchmark Stoxx index rose nearly 16% during 2025, driven by defence stocks as governments ramped up spending to deal with the threat from Russia, while bank stocks were also in favour.

Commodities were also in focus with gold and silver prices rallying, while the price of Brent crude sat above $61 a barrel.

In equity news, semi-conductor makers were in focus with BE Semiconductor and ASM International making strong gains.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com