European Stocks Rise, Global Debt Hits Record $318 Trillion, and Oil Prices Rebound

European stock markets traded higher on Wednesday as investors anticipated more corporate earnings. Germany’s DAX climbed 0.7%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 and France’s CAC 40 gained 0.2% each.

Global debt surged by $7 trillion in 2024, hitting a record $318 trillion, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF). The global debt-to-GDP ratio jumped to 330%, marking the first annual increase since the pandemic. The IIF expects debt growth to slow in early 2025 due to high borrowing costs.

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) reported a sharp 70% drop in net profit for 2024, plunging to €5.5 billion from €18.6 billion in 2023. The automaker, which owns brands like Jeep, Dodge, and Peugeot (OTC: PUGOY), is implementing cost-cutting measures to improve profitability.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom (OTC: DTEGY) exceeded its 2024 financial targets, reporting a 3.4% rise in revenue to €115.8 billion and a 6.2% jump in adjusted EBITDA AL to €43 billion. Free cash flow AL soared 18.7% to €19.2 billion, while adjusted net profit increased 18.3% to €9.4 billion. The company forecasts continued growth in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA AL expected to reach €44.9 billion (+4.5%) and free cash flow AL to rise 4% to €19.9 billion.

Anheuser-Busch InBev (EBR: ABI) posted record revenue despite volume declines in China and Argentina. Revenue rose 2.7% to $59.77 billion, driven by a 4.3% increase in revenue per hectoliter, while normalized EBITDA climbed 8.2% to $20.96 billion.

Crude oil prices rebounded from two-month lows after U.S. stockpile declines. Brent crude rose 0.3% to $72.69 per barrel, while WTI crude increased 0.3% to $69.14.