Randstad NV

The STOXX 600 index closed at its highest level in two weeks, supported by energy stocks after Brent crude oil prices surged past $93 per barrel, the highest in six weeks, as Saudi Arabian oil tankers were forced to reroute away from the Red Sea following threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Shares of Randstad, the world's largest staffing firm based in the Netherlands, jumped nearly 14%, the biggest gainer on the STOXX 600 and its largest single-day rise since 2008, after reporting quarterly revenue that beat expectations and signaling that demand in several key markets is beginning to recover. In the US stock market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 52,218.58 points, down 6.06 points, the S&P 500 index closed at 7,498.96 points, down 10.24 points, and the Nasdaq index closed at 25,690.90 points, down 146.30 points, amid volatile trading in technology stocks, with Alphabet shares closing down 1.5% after postponing the launch of its Gemini 3.5 Pro AI model. Asian markets opened higher, led by South Korea's KOSPI index which surged 3.6% on hopes of investment inflows into artificial intelligence businesses, while the Thai stock market is expected to move sideways, pressured by tensions in the Middle East, but with potential buying interest in energy stocks. AMATA maintained its land sales target at 2,800 rai and has a backlog worth 19.7 billion baht.

US stocks closed slightly lower, with the Dow falling 6.06 points to 52,218.58, the Nasdaq dropping 146.30 points to 25,690.90, and the S&P 500 declining 10.24 points to 7,498.96. Investors are awaiting earnings reports from major technology companies, including Alphabet and Tesla, the first two of the Magnificent Seven to report second-quarter results after the market close, watching for signs of returns on massive artificial intelligence investments. Alphabet shares closed down 1.5% amid volatility, while Super Micro Computer surged 19.8% after revealing over 60 billion dollars in new orders for the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East pushed WTI crude up 2.95% to 86.83 dollars per barrel and North Sea Brent up 3.36% to 94.07 dollars per barrel, a six-week high, fueling inflation concerns and the likelihood of a Fed rate hike, with traders pricing in a 66% chance of a hold at next week's meeting. European stocks closed higher, with the STOXX 600 index rising 0.58% to 646.93 points, supported by energy and defense stocks. Randstad shares jumped nearly 14% after revenue beat expectations, while Airbus gained 7% after announcing a 5 billion euro share buyback.

European stocks closed at a two-week high on Wednesday, supported by energy and defence shares. The STOXX 600 index ended at 646.93 points, up 0.58 percent. Randstad shares surged nearly 14 percent after quarterly revenue beat expectations. Aerospace and defence stocks led the market with a 2.6 percent gain, while the energy sector added 0.8 percent, tracking Brent crude oil prices that jumped past 93 US dollars per barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions. Technology stocks fell 0.5 percent ahead of earnings reports from Alphabet and Tesla in the US. Investors are also eyeing the European Central Bank meeting on Thursday, where interest rates are expected to be held steady.