European Markets Dip Post-US Jobs Report: Key Takeaways for December 2025

• How Did European Markets Perform Today?
• What’s Driving Germany’s Economic Sentiment?
• Which Stocks Made Headlines?
• How Did the Eurozone PMIs Fare?
• What Did the US Jobs Report Reveal?
• Where’s the Euro Heading?
• FAQs: European Markets and US Jobs Data

European markets closed lower on December 17, 2025, reacting to mixed signals from the US jobs report and regional economic data. The CAC 40 slipped 0.23%, while the DAX 40 and EuroStoxx 50 fell 0.59% and 0.48%, respectively. Germany’s ZEW economic sentiment outperformed expectations, but manufacturing activity weakened. Meanwhile, Havas and Stellantis made strategic moves, and Virbac announced a major acquisition. Here’s a DEEP dive into the day’s market dynamics.

How Did European Markets Perform Today?

European bourses ended the session in the red, with the CAC 40 dipping 0.23% to 8,106.16 points, the DAX 40 losing 0.59% to 24,087.33 points, and the EuroStoxx 50 declining 0.48% to 5,725.11 points. The downturn followed the release of the US monthly jobs report, which showed stronger-than-expected job creation but slower wage growth. Investors are now eyeing tomorrow’s final eurozone inflation figures for November.

What’s Driving Germany’s Economic Sentiment?

Germany’s ZEW economic sentiment index jumped to 45.8 points in December, its highest since July 2025, defying expectations of a slight drop. However, the manufacturing sector continued to struggle, with activity hitting a 10-month low of 47.7 points. The composite PMI for the private sector also slid to 51.5, a four-month low, as services growth slowed to 52.6 points.

Which Stocks Made Headlines?

edged down 0.08% to €15.58 after announcing its acquisition of Belgian entertainment marketing firm Digizik. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but the deal expands Havas Play’s reach beyond Belgium.eked out a 0.16% gain to €10.116 amid speculation about looser EU emissions rules.surged 2.07% to €345 after buying a novel feline hyperthyroidism treatment from Norbrook for £100 million (€114 million).

How Did the Eurozone PMIs Fare?

The eurozone’s composite PMI dropped to 51.9 in December, a three-month low, as services activity slowed to 52.6 points and manufacturing contracted further to 49.2 points—an eight-month low. France’s private sector activity also underwhelmed, with the composite index at 50.1, dragged down by weak services performance (50.2 points).

What Did the US Jobs Report Reveal?

The US economy added 64,000 jobs in November, beating forecasts of 50,000, though October’s figure was revised down to 108,000. Wage growth slowed to 0.1% monthly, below the 0.3% expected, while unemployment ROSE to 4.6%. The US composite PMI also softened to 53.0 in December, its weakest since June, signaling slower but still robust growth.

Where’s the Euro Heading?

The euro gained 0.14% against the dollar, trading at 1.1770. Analysts attribute the MOVE to repositioning ahead of tomorrow’s eurozone inflation data and lingering doubts about the Fed’s rate path given the mixed jobs report.

FAQs: European Markets and US Jobs Data

Why did European markets fall after the US jobs report?

While US job creation beat expectations, slowing wage growth and rising unemployment stoked concerns about consumer spending. European investors also weighed weaker regional PMI data.

Which German sectors showed strength in December?

Economic sentiment (ZEW index) surged to a five-month high of 45.8 points, but manufacturing and services PMIs both deteriorated, reflecting broader eurozone trends.

What’s next for eurozone inflation?

Final November figures due tomorrow could confirm whether disflation trends are holding, influencing ECB policy expectations for early 2026.