Euro Area's main stock market index, the EU50, fell to 5174 points on August 1, 2025, losing 2.80% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 2.72%, though it remains 11.54% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from Euro Area. Euro Area Stock Market Index (EU50) - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

Stocks pause after a rally due to trade war concerns and rising Treasury yields. Key focus on Nvidia earnings and inflation data.

This year, harvests in the EU, the U.S., the UK, Argentina, Morocco and Ukraine are expected to increase, leading to a growth in wheat production. Even though global stockpiles of grains will remain high, there are boosted expectations for inflation due to forecasts of record demand and increased prices for other cereal grains. The rising global population and bioethanol production are key factors leading to this growth in demand for wheat. Another driving factor is the emerging trend in the EU to use more wheat in animal feed rather than barley.

The Classic Car Insurance industry generates revenue from two main sources: premium income and investment income. There are many classic car insurance policies, including comprehensive cover, laid-up cover, and third-party, fire and theft cover, with the comprehensive cover being the most prevalent form. The level of risk and the premium prices vary considerably, depending on the type of policy. Classic car insurance revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.1% over the five years through 2025-26 to £835.9 million, including projected growth of 3.5% in 2025-26. Traditional markets performed poorly in 2022 amid rising interest rates and rampant inflation, weighing on investment income. Yet, this made the intangible asset of classic cars an attractive alternative to hedge against rising prices, lifting demand for insurance. In 2023-24, the potential for rate cuts and improving economic growth supported a rally in both stocks and bond markets in the latter part of the year. Although this supported investment income, it also softened demand for classic cars with investors drawn to the attractive returns offered by traditional capital markets. The tightening cost-of-living squeeze has also hit demand for classic cars with buyers becoming more careful with their money. Over the two years through 2025-26, geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and potential trade protectionism have made classic cars more appealing as a source of diversification, aiding demand for insurance and supporting revenue growth. However, the introduction of the fair pricing regulation has weighed on the average profit margin in recent years, with insurers no longer able to attract new customers with lower premiums than that of their existing customers. Over the five years through 2030-31, industry revenue is anticipated to ramp up at a compound annual rate of 2.8% to reach £915.1 million. Normalising inflation and energy prices stabilising is set to support demand for classic cars in the short term, as people loosen their purse strings and opt for large-ticket purchases like classic cars. Fierce price competition is set to persist, resulting in more insurers turning to AI to process vast amounts of data and be more responsive in their pricing. A partial easing of Solvency II regulations will also benefit the classic car insurance industry, freeing up capital so insurers can underwrite more policies.