economy
January 9, 2026
European stocks close higher as investors digest U.S. jobs data; Sainsbury's shares fall 5%
European shares finished higher on Friday, as markets assessed geopolitical developments and economic data.
TL;DR
- Pan-European Stoxx 600 closed nearly 1% higher.
- U.S. nonfarm payrolls for December rose by 50,000, lower than expected.
- Defense stocks continued to rise, influenced by President Trump's call for increased U.S. military spending.
- President Trump is considering options for U.S. control over Greenland, potentially impacting NATO.
- U.S. is reportedly mulling investments in Greenland's critical minerals mining projects.
- Rolls-Royce shares hit a fresh high.
- Rio Tinto is in preliminary talks to acquire Glencore, potentially creating the world's largest mining company.
- European oil company shares pared losses on Friday.
- U.K. retailers Tesco, Marks and Spencer, and Sainsbury's reported strong Christmas food sales.
- Tesco lifted its end-of-year profit guidance.
- Sainsbury's reported a 3.4% rise in underlying sales for Q3.
- European lawmakers provisionally approved a controversial trade agreement with Mercosur.
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