London: European stocks closed at a record high on Wednesday, lifted by a sharp rally in energy shares. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index edged up 0.1% to finish at 621.58 points, marking a new closing peak.

According to Qatar News Agency, energy stocks led gains, jumping 3.8% to their highest level since 2008. Shares in French oil major TotalEnergies rose 2.7% to their strongest level since 2024 after the company reaffirmed its commitment to expanding oil and gas reserves. Mining stocks also advanced, climbing 3% as metal prices strengthened.

However, losses in other sectors limited broader gains. Technology shares fell 1.8%, while media stocks dropped 2.6%. French software company Dassault Systems plunged 20.8% in its largest single-day fall on record. Insurance stocks slipped 1% and have been the worst-performing sector on the benchmark index since the start of the week.

Elsewhere, shares in Dutch brewer Heineken rose 4.4% after it announced plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs globally.