Investing.com - European stocks held gains on Thursday, still supported by the release of broadly positive manufacturing and service sector data from the euro zone, as well as an earlier report out of China.
During European afternoon trade, the DJ Euro Stoxx 50 advanced 0.85%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.77%, while Germany’s DAX gained 0.47%.
Market research group Markit said that its preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 51.9 this month, up from a final reading of 51.8 in June. Analysts had expected the index to ease down to 51.7 in July.
Meanwhile, the bloc's preliminary services purchasing managers’ improved to 54.4 in July from a reading of 52.8 in June. Analysts had expected the index to dip to 52.7 this month.
In Germany, the manufacturing PMI rose to 52.9 this month from a final reading of 52.0 in June, while the preliminary services PMI improved to a 37-month high of 56.6, up from a reading of 54.6.
France's manufacturing PMI fell to 47.6 this month from a final reading of 48.2 in June, while the preliminary services PMI improved to 50.4 from 48.2.
Market sentiment had improved earlier, after data showed that China's HSBC Flash Manufacturing PMI rose to an 18-month high of 52.0 in June, from a reading of 50.7 the previous month, exceeding expectations for an increase to 51.0.
Financial stocks were broadly higher, as French lenders BNP Paribas (PARIS:BNPP) and Societe Generale (PARIS:SOGN) rallied 2.01% and 2.52%, while Germany's Deutsche Bank (XETRA:DBKGn) jumped 1.64%.
Among peripheral lenders, Italy's Unicredit (MILAN:CRDI) and Intesa Sanpaolo (MILAN:ISP) surged 2.94% and 2.96% respectively, while Spanish banks Banco Santander (MADRID:SAN) and BBVA (MADRID:BBVA) gained 1.98% and 2.21%.
Elsewhere, Roche (SIX:ROG) advanced 1.54% after confirming its full-year forecast.
Nokia Oyj (ST:NOKI) added to gains and soared 7.43% after it posted second-quarter earnings above estimates.
In London, commodity-heavy FTSE 100 edged up 0.14%, supported by the financial sector.
Shares in Lloyds Banking (LONDON:LLOY) edged up 0.07% and the Royal Bank of Scotland (LONDON:RBS) gained 0.83%, while Barclays (LONDON:BARC) and HSBC Holdings (LONDON:HSBA) jumped 0.96% and 2.08% respectively.
In the mining sector, stocks were mixed as Fresnillo (LONDON:FRES) plummeted 1.82% and Polymetal (LONDON:POLYP) dove 2.64%, while Rio Tinto (LONDON:RIO) added 0.07% and Antofagasta (LONDON:ANTO) climbed 0.84%.
Meanwhile, Kingfisher (LONDON:KGF), down 7.57%, continued to lead losses on the index following reports the company is set to be declared a wilful defaulter by its lenders.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a higher open. The Dow 30 futures pointed to a 0.16% rise, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.12% gain, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.26% increase.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to produce data on unemployment claims, manufacturing activity and new home sales.