European Markets Thursday May 21 2026: Nvidia Lifts Stoxx 600, Samsung Relief Boosts Semis
# European Markets Thursday May 21 2026: Nvidia Lifts Stoxx 600, Samsung Relief Boosts Semis
> **Quick answer:** European markets opened higher on Thursday May 21 2026, driven by a double semiconductor catalyst: Nvidia reported $81.6 billion in Q1 revenue — up 85% year-on-year — and guided Q2 to $91 billion, well above the $87.3 billion consensus. Simultaneously, Samsung surged 7% on the KOSPI after securing a $16.5 billion AI chip deal with Tesla. ASML, Europe's premier semiconductor equipment name, led gains across the continent. Offsetting the mood slightly: FOMC minutes released Wednesday afternoon signaled Fed openness to rate hikes if inflation stays above 2%, weighing on utilities, REITs, and bond-sensitive sectors.
*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.*
European equities entered Thursday's session with clear upside momentum. The Stoxx 600 — the benchmark tracking 600 companies across 17 European countries — gained at the open, with the semiconductor equipment sub-sector leading the advance. Two catalysts were doing the heavy lifting: Nvidia's record-smashing earnings the previous evening, and a landmark Samsung-Tesla AI chip manufacturing deal that sent South Korean stocks to a fresh multi-year high. The question for Thursday was how durable this rally could be given the hawkish undertone from Fed minutes released Wednesday.
## The Nvidia Catalyst: $81.6B Revenue, $91B Guidance, and Why Europe Cares
Nvidia reported its Q1 FY2027 results after the US close on Wednesday May 20. The headline numbers were exceptional. Revenue hit $81.62 billion, up 85% from a year earlier and well ahead of the $78.9 billion Wall Street consensus. Earnings per share came in at $2.39, versus the $1.75 expected. Data Center revenue — the engine of the entire Nvidia story — reached $75.2 billion, up 92% year-on-year.