16.02.202617:18:01UTC+00European Stocks Close Muted on Thin Trading

European stocks ended Monday’s session mixed, extending last week’s subdued tone as investors assessed the impact of a stronger euro and expectations that benchmark interest rates will remain unchanged on the region’s economy. The STOXX 50 finished virtually flat at 5,985, while the pan-European STOXX 600 edged up 0.1% to 618, hovering just below last week’s record high.

Trading volumes were muted amid holidays in North America and China. Industrial heavyweights remained volatile amid lingering uncertainty over the disruptive effects of artificial intelligence. Software names largely sustained recent losses linked to concerns over AI-driven automation, with Dassault Systèmes dropping nearly 10% after broker downgrades. Infrastructure groups also came under pressure, with Siemens and Schneider declining 6.4% and 4%, respectively. In contrast, bank shares advanced solidly, with Santander, BBVA, and Nordea each gaining more than 2%.