Investing.com - European stocks opened higher on Wednesday, as they recovered from losses posted following a series of terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 gained 0.89%, France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.69%, while Germany’s DAX 30 jumped 0.97%.
Market sentiment was hit after three explosions in Brussels killed 34 people and injured hundreds on Tuesday.
Global terrorist organization ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks that took place in the city's airport and a metro station.
Financial stocks were broadly higher, as French lenders Societe Generale (PA:SOGN) and BNP Paribas (PA:BNPP) gained 0.74% and 0.66%, while Germany’s Commerzbank (DE:CBKG) advanced 0.77%.
Among peripheral lenders, Italy’s Intesa Sanpaolo (MI:ISP) and Unicredit (MI:CRDI) climbed 0.95% and 0.81% respectively, while Spanish banks Banco Santander (MC:SAN) and BBVA (MC:BBVA) added 0.22% and 0.45%.
In Switzerland, Credit Suisse (SIX:CSGN) Group AG surged 2.51% after announcing plans to cut an additional 2,000 jobs this year and deepen cuts at the investment bank.
Elsewhere, Hermes International SCA (PA:HRMS) rallied 1.98% after the French luxury retailer reported a 13% increase in 2015 net profit and raised its dividend.
The company also said that sales growth in 2016 could be below its medium-term target of 8% "due to the economic, geopolitical and monetary uncertainties around the world".
In London, FTSE 100 rose 0.33%, helped by Kingfisher (LON:KGF), whose shares jumped 1.08% after the home improvement retailer said full-year adjusted pretax profit increased by 0.3%.
Financial stocks were also mostly higher, as Lloyds Banking (LON:LLOY) edged up 0.12% and Barclays (LON:BARC) added 0.19%, while HSBC Holdings (LON:HSBA) rose 0.27%. The Royal Bank of Scotland (LON:RBS) underperformed, with shares slipping 0.26%.
Meanwhile, mining stocks were broadly lower on the commodity-heavy index. Shares in Antofagasta (LON:ANTO) dropped 0.50% and Anglo American (LON:AAL) declined 0.70%, while rivals Fresnillo (LON:FRES) and Randgold Resources (LON:RRS) plummeted 1.66% and 2.98% respectively.
William Hill Plc (LON:WMH) added to losses, with shares sinking 13.65% after the gambling company predicted lower full-year operating profit for 2016.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a steady to higher open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.03% uptick, S&P 500 futures a 0.09% gain, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.08% rise.