European Shares Climb as BAE Systems Results Lift Defence Stocks and Investors Eye ECB Changes
The STOXX 600 index rose on Wednesday as BAE Systems reported record orders. Investors also weighed reports that Christine Lagarde may step down from the ECB.
Insights:
The pan-European STOXX 600 index advanced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as a rally in the defence sector, led by BAE Systems plc , lifted regional market benchmarks. The British defence contractor reported a better-than-expected jump in full-year operating profit and announced a record order backlog of 83.6 billion pounds. These financial results triggered a 2.2% rise in the defence sector, which became the primary driver of the broader market's gains during the session.
