Track Your ETF Portfolio Performance Like a Pro: Best Free Tools for Europeans in 2026

Markets took a cautious turn on August 13 as fresh eurozone inflation data came in hotter than expected, sending European equities lower and prompting investors to reassess the outlook for interest rates. With U.S. markets muted ahead of key economic releases, the day’s action centered squarely on Europe’s persistent price pressures. ## Inflation Jitters Hit European Equities The **STOXX Europe 600** retreated **0.7%** to close at **458.20**, snapping a three-day winning streak. The decline followed the release of July’s eurozone CPI, which showed headline inflation rising **3.4%** year-on-year—above the consensus forecast of 3.1%. Core inflation, stripping out volatile food and energy prices, also edged up to **2.8%**, further fueling concerns that the European Central Bank may need to keep policy restrictive for longer. Germany’s **DAX** dropped **0.9%** to **16,850**, while France’s **CAC 40** fell **0.8%** to **7,320**. London’s **FTSE 100** outperformed, slipping just **0.2%** to **7,620**, cushioned by gains in energy shares. U.S. equity indices were little changed in early trading as investors awaited the release of the latest U.S. retail sales and producer price index data later this week. The **S&P 500** hovered near **5,130**, while the **Nasdaq Composite** traded flat at **16,350**. ## Bond Yields and Euro Hold Their Ground In sovereign debt markets, eurozone government bond yields steadied after an initial uptick on the inflation print. The **German 10-year Bund yield** briefly touched **2.85%**—its highest level since May—before settling back to **2.82%**, up just 2 basis points on the day. Southern European spreads remained stable, suggesting limited contagion fears for now. The euro was resilient despite the inflation surprise, with **EUR/USD** holding near **1.0950**. The **U.S. Dollar Index (DXY)** traded flat at **102.1**, as traders weighed the diverging inflation outlooks between the eurozone and the U.S. ## Energy and Gold Mixed; Oil Rises Commodities saw mixed moves. **Brent crude oil** climbed **1.2%** to **$89.70** per barrel, buoyed by supply concerns after reports of further output cuts from OPEC+ members. **Gold** held steady at **$2,045** an ounce, as investors balanced inflation concerns against a firmer dollar and steady bond yields. ## Key Movers: Luxury Names and Rate-Sensitive Sectors Under Pressure Luxury and consumer discretionary stocks led the declines in Europe. Shares in **LVMH** slid **2.4%** and **Hermès** dropped **2.1%**, as higher inflation and the prospect of prolonged restrictive policy raised concerns about consumer demand. Rate-sensitive sectors such as real estate and utilities also lagged, with the **European real estate index** falling **1.6%**. Energy names provided a rare bright spot. **BP** and **Shell** both gained over **1%** in London trading, tracking the move higher in crude prices. ETF investors saw broad-based declines across European equity trackers, prompting some to revisit their portfolio allocations. For those seeking strategies to weather inflation-driven volatility, our 2026 Guide to Building a Low-Cost European ETF Portfolio offers actionable ideas and a framework for diversification. If you’re comparing brokers for ETF investing, our side-by-side review of DEGIRO, Interactive Brokers, and Trade Republic provides a timely update on fees and features. ## What to Watch Market participants will be watching closely for the U.S. retail sales and PPI reports due later this week, which could set the tone for global risk assets. In Europe, ECB policymakers are scheduled to speak on Thursday, offering potential clues on the central bank’s reaction to sticky inflation. Traders will also keep an eye on oil markets for further supply developments and on the euro for signs of renewed volatility. For investors reassessing their strategies amid persistent inflation, reviewing your ETF holdings with the help of free European tools—like those outlined in our ETF Portfolio Reviews guide—could help manage risk and identify new opportunities. With inflation surprising to the upside, the focus now shifts to central bank responses and the durability of consumer demand as summer draws to a close.