European stocks started Friday higher, driven by a sharp rise in Glencore shares.
Glencore leads market rally
Glencore jumped about 8%, pushing the STOXX 600 toward its longest weekly gain since May. The boost helped the index rise 0.4% by mid‑morning.
Rio Tinto enters buy talks
Rio Tinto said it is in early discussions to acquire Glencore, which would create the world’s biggest mining company. While Glencore rallied, Rio Tinto’s own shares slipped around 2%.
Other sector moves
- Energy stocks rose 1.7% and miners gained 1.5%.
- Anglo American climbed 2.4% after European regulators cleared its deal with Teck Resources.
- ASML added 2.1% following strong fourth‑quarter results from TSMC.
- STMicroelectronics rose nearly 1%.
What’s ahead?
Investors are waiting for a key U.S. jobs report later today, expected to show slower hiring in December as businesses stay cautious.
Remember, this is just an overview, not a prediction. Do your own research and consider your own risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.