European bank stocks are rallying on a string of positive news, including relatively lower risk of war in the Middle East and signs of improving trade relationships between the U.S. and China.

Barclays shares have risen to their highest level in 15 years. The stock last traded at the current level in April 2010, in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

Yet, analysts at Bank of America suggest the stock is "cheapest" among the lender's peers due to its strong earnings.

In its first quarter, the lender reported £2.7 billion ($3.71 billion) in net underlying profit.

"Barclays printed a strong set of Q1 numbers, largely driven by [investment banking] revenues," said BofA's analysts in a note to clients in May.

"While we can understand concerns around some of its business footprint in the current environment … the Q1 print goes some way to alleviate them. In particular, it was pleasing to see (i) the investment bank (particularly the Markets business) captured the opportunities in the quarter while holding [risk-weighted assets] broadly flat (ex FX), and (ii) there were no signs of stress in underlying credit quality within the US Consumer business, with delinquencies flat [quarter on quarter] and write-offs stable [year on year]," they added.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank's stock has rallied to its highest in nearly a decade. Shares last traded at 25.84 euros ($30.27) in August 2015.

Analysts at JPMorgan said there are still "several bottom-up drivers for the business going forward".

"DBK aims to enhance shareholder value by deploying capital at a return on equity exceeding the cost of equity, and generating positive shareholder value add in Corporate and Investment Banking products," said the Wall Street bank's analysts, led by Kian Abouhossein. "Overall, DBK has broadened its business drivers and geographical depth, particularly in the UK, Asia, and Latin America."

Other European banks that also rallied to their 52-week high are Nordic lenders Sydbank, Jyske Bank and Norion Bank.

 — Ganesh Rao

The Investment Company Institute (ICI), which represents fund houses in the U.S. and some in Europe, welcomed the powerful Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees' decision to remove Section 899 from U.S. President Donald Trump's spending bill.

The ICI previously lobbied Congress against Section 899, warning that the provision impacted most foreign investments in the U.S. stock market, according to documents seen by CNBC.

"ICI applauds today's announcement from Chairman Crapo and Chairman Smith that Section 899 will be removed from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act following the Administration's agreement with G7 countries," the ICI said in a statement.

"We thank Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chairman Crapo, and Chairman Smith for leading the successful negotiations and ensuring the United States continues to be the premier destination for global investors."

— Ganesh Rao

British sports apparel retailer JD Sports is currently topping the Stoxx 600 with a gain of 7.8%.

The stock's rally comes better-than-expected fourth quarter results from sportswear giant Nike. More than 90% of JD Sports' sales are derived from major brands including Nike, Adidas and Puma.

— Chloe Taylor

In case you missed it, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday evening said that he had asked the Senate and the House of Representatives to strip a measure aimed at penalizing some foreign investors out of President Donald Trump's spending bill.

The Section 899 measure — which became colloquially known as a "revenge tax" — would have slapped new taxes on investors from certain countries, cutting into their returns on U.S. equities and other assets.

Bessent said he asked lawmakers to ditch Section 899 after U.S. officials came to a "joint understanding" with G7 countries on a global tax deal, under which "OECD Pillar 2 taxes will not apply to U.S. companies."

"Based on this progress and understanding, I have asked the Senate and House to remove the Section 899 protective measure from consideration in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill," he said in a post on the X social media platform.

"This understanding with our G7 partners provides greater certainty and stability for the global economy and will enhance growth and investment in the United States and beyond."

— Chloe Taylor

European autos stocks notched gains during early trade on Friday, as investors reacted to the White House saying the looming deadline for country-specific tariffs to come into effect was "not critical" and "could be extended."

The moves also came after Beijing said it had agreed with Washington on the details of a trade agreement negotiated in London earlier this month.

Europe's Stoxx Automobiles and Parts index, which has shown sensitivity to U.S. trade policy announcements this year, was last seen trading around 2% higher.

Top movers in the sector included Porsche and French vehicle parts supplier Valeo, both up 2.2%, as well as Stellantis, which gained 2%, and Mercedes-Benz, shares of which jumped 1.6%.

Vehicles and parts imported to the U.S. have been subject to a 25% tariff since April. A 50% blanket tariff on European Union imports is currently suspended until July 9.

Machinery and vehicles are the EU's biggest export to the United States.

— Chloe Taylor

The U.S. and China have further confirmed the details of the trade agreement reached by both sides earlier this month in London, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce Friday afternoon.

Read more here.

— Anniek Bao

We're 10 minutes into the final trading session of the week, and stocks are firmly in positive territory after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fueled optimism on Thursday about the looming reciprocal tariffs deadline.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was last seen trading up 0.6%, with most sectors edging higher.

The tariffs-sensitive autos and mining sectors led gains, jumping 1.4% and 1.1%, respectively. Utilities stocks, often used as a hedge against market turbulence, were down by 0.1% during early trade.

— Chloe Taylor

Italian lender Mediobanca pledged on Friday to return 4.9 billion euros ($5.7 billion) to shareholders over the next three years, as it continued to push back against a hostile takeover bid from domestic rival Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS).

In a statement, Mediobanca said the proposed MPS offer "lacks an industrial and financial rationale for Mediobanca shareholders and carries clear and significant execution risks."

"The combined entity would have the profile of a medium-sized undifferentiated commercial bank, with high capital absorption, highly sensitive to the macroeconomic environment, without strengthening any of Mediobanca's business segments and with the risks inherent in MPS's financial statements remaining unchanged," it said.

CNBC reached out to MPS for comment.

Read more on MPS' 13-billion-euro bid for Mediobanca here.

— Chloe Taylor

Good morning from London.

European equities look set to extend yesterday's gains at the open on Friday.

Futures tied to the FTSE 100 are marginally higher, while those tied to Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 indexes are up by 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively.

It comes after the Trump administration said the July deadlines for so-called reciprocal tariffs "could be extended" and are "not critical."

— Chloe Taylor

President Donald Trump could extend looming deadlines for reimposing steep tariffs on imports from most of the world's countries, the White House said Thursday.

Trump's July 8 and 9 deadlines for restarting tariffs on those nations are "not critical," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

"Perhaps it could be extended, but that's a decision for the president to make," Leavitt said.

Leavitt also said Thursday that if any of those countries refuse to make a trade deal with the United States by the deadlines, "The president can simply provide these countries with a deal."

In late May, Trump threatened to impose tariffs of 50% on imports from European Union nations, all of whom had already been subject to the reciprocal tariffs imposed in April.

Read more here.

— Kevin Breuninger