Finance
European shares edge up; Puma leaps on Anta stake purchase
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 27, 2026
3 min readLast updated: January 27, 2026
Quick Summary
European shares rose on positive corporate updates. Puma soared 19% after Anta Sports' stake purchase, while Roche's drug trial results were positive.
European Stocks Rise; Puma Soars on Anta's Stake Acquisition
Market Overview and Key Developments
By Niket Nishant and Avinash P
Puma's Share Surge
Jan 27 (Reuters) - European equities climbed on Tuesday, supported by a raft of positive corporate catalysts that eased investor concerns over recent trade tensions, while shares of Puma jumped after the sportswear maker sold a stake to China's Anta Sports.
Banking Sector Performance
The gains underscore how investors are leaning on company-specific factors to guide market sentiment amid an increasingly uncertain macroeconomic environment.
Trade Deal Implications
The pan-European STOXX 600 benchmark was up 0.2% by 0940 GMT. Banks jumped 1.2%, hitting their highest since May 2008.
"The fundamentals for banks have really improved. We expect loan growth to pick up and we could see further positive earnings surprises from the sector this year," said Ciaran Callaghan, head of European equity research at Amundi.
PUMA CLIMBS, LVMH RESULTS AWAITED
Puma's shares rose 8% and hit their highest level since last March, following a deal by Anta Sports Products to buy a 29.06% stake in the German company for 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion). The deal is expected to help Puma increase its sales in the lucrative Chinese market.
"At this point in the cycle, we can expect dealmaking to pick up. Balance sheets are strong and management teams are looking to see where incremental growth can come from," Callaghan added.
Among other market movers, Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche's shares rose 0.5% after it said a phase II clinical trial of its experimental obesity drug CT-388, a once-weekly injection, had delivered positive results.
Meanwhile, shares of LVMH were flat ahead of annual results. Investors are hopeful of further signs that the luxury giant is recovering after a lengthy slowdown, but also want more action from CEO Bernard Arnault to win back shoppers alienated by hefty price hikes.
Separately, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and the European Union have finalised a long-pending landmark trade deal.
"The deal is going to be helpful (for the European economy), but only marginally so," said Jeremy Batstone-Carr, European strategist at Raymond James.
Investors are also concerned about the long-term implications of U.S. tariff threats for the global trade order, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would hike duties on South Korean autos and other imports, citing delays in implementing the pact signed last year.
(Reporting by Niket Nishant and Avinash P in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Shinjini Ganguli)
Key Takeaways
- •European shares increased due to positive corporate updates.
- •Puma's shares surged 19% after Anta Sports' stake purchase.
- •Roche's obesity drug trial showed positive results.
- •India and EU finalized a landmark trade deal.
- •Concerns remain over U.S. tariff threats.
Frequently Asked Questions about European shares edge up; Puma leaps on Anta stake purchase
1What is equity?
Equity refers to the ownership interest in a company, represented by shares of stock. It signifies the value of an owner's stake in the business after all liabilities have been deducted.
2What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled. It encompasses the relationships among stakeholders and the goals for which the corporation is governed.
3What are financial markets?
Financial markets are platforms where buyers and sellers engage in the trade of assets such as stocks, bonds, currencies, and derivatives. They facilitate the exchange of capital and liquidity.
4What is investment?
Investment is the act of allocating resources, usually money, in order to generate income or profit. It can involve purchasing assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate.
5What are trade securities?
Trade securities are financial instruments that are bought and sold in financial markets. They include stocks, bonds, and derivatives that represent ownership or creditor relationships.
