European shares edged higher on Thursday as investors weighed Middle East tensions, oil prices and company updates. Rémy Cointreau was one of the strongest movers after the spirits group set out a recovery plan aimed at lifting operating profit by about €100 million by the 2028/29 financial year.
The update gives investors a clearer target after a difficult period for the sector. Management has put a profit figure and a timeline in front of the market, which means future results can be judged against a defined plan rather than broad expectations of recovery.
Chief executive Franck Marilly’s plan is important because it shifts attention from short-term trading pressure to the company’s ability to rebuild earnings over several years. Investors will want to see whether Rémy Cointreau can improve profitability while managing demand, pricing and cost discipline. The 2028/29 target also gives the market a reason to track progress over time, especially if trading conditions remain uneven.
The pan-European STOXX 600 moved slightly higher, helped by easing oil prices after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Lower oil prices can reduce some pressure on inflation and interest-rate expectations, which matters for equity valuations.
In Europe, company news drove several notable share-price moves. Partners Group rose after recovering from the previous day’s losses, even though it warned of slower fundraising in the second half of 2026 and 2027 because of uncertainty around redemptions from evergreen open-ended funds. Universal Music Group fell after announcing a share buyback from Pershing Square Funds, following its rejection of an unsolicited takeover approach from the investment group.
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