11:56 AM EDT, 05/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European stock markets closed higher Wednesday with the Swiss Market Index gaining 0.8%, France's CAC 40 climbing 0.4%, the FTSE 100 advancing 0.2%, and the Stoxx Europe 600 and Germany's DAX 40 each little changed.

The governments of the EU cleared legislation to remove import duties on several US goods, Reuters reported. The legislation still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.

In corporate news, Albert Manifold, who was removed as BP's chairman amid governance and oversight concerns, rejected the company's account and said his dismissal came without explanation, Bloomberg reported.

Shares of BP fell 3% in London.

AstraZeneca said the US Food and Drug Administration delayed the decision deadline for its new drug application regarding a combination breast cancer treatment to evaluate additional information.

Shares of the British pharmaceutical company rose 0.2% in London.

TotalEnergies is facing a dispute with Mozambique over about $2 billion in costs tied to delays at its liquefied natural gas project in the country, Bloomberg reported.

Shares of the French oil and gas major fell 3.5% in Paris.

Manchester United reported fiscal Q3 adjusted earnings of 0.0295 British pounds ($0.04) per share, swinging from a loss of 0.0319 pounds a year earlier. Revenue rose to 189.5 million pounds from 160.5 million pounds. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook.

Shares of the English soccer club surged 11% in London.

Banco Santander launched a cash tender offer to repurchase up to $850 million of its outstanding 4.75% perpetual preferred tier 1 securities.

Shares of Banco Santander rose 1.7% in Madrid.