European Stocks Rise on Thursday

European stocks rose on Thursday, with the Stoxx 50 up 0.9% and the Stoxx 600 up 0.6%, led by food and beverage companies.

The Stoxx Food & Beverage index jumped 3.2% after Nestlé announced plans to cut 12,000 white-collar jobs, with an additional 4,000 roles to be eliminated over the next two years.

German life sciences firm Sartorius gained 9% after reporting a 7.5% rise in revenue and improved profitability for the first nine months of 2025.

Nordea Bank shares climbed around 3% to record highs, supported by stronger-than-expected lending income, with mortgage and corporate lending up 6% year-on-year, boosted by growth in Sweden and a Norwegian acquisition.

On the downside, Whitbread fell 10% following weaker profit and growth figures.

In France, investors welcomed political stability as the new government survived a no-confidence vote.