Investing.com – European stocks were up on Monday, led higher by gains in the commodity and energy sectors, while U.S. futures indices also made gains.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 1.62%; France’s CAC 40 advanced 1.63% while Germany's DAX gained 1.32%.
In the energy sector, shares in GDF Suez advanced 1.2% while International Power climbed 3.9% after media reports that the two companies are close to a deal that would see France’s second- largest utility take control of the British company with interests in more than 45 power stations.
Earlier in the day, official data showed that investor confidence in the euro zone jumped more-than-expected in August. The Sentix index of investor confidence rose to 8.5 in August after declining to 1.3 in June.
Analysts had expected the index to rise to 2.1 in August.
In London, the commodity heavy FTSE 100 gained 1.54% as miners advanced. Rio Tinto, the world’s third-largest mining company, climbed 1.9% while BHP Billiton Ltd, the biggest mining company, gained 1.8%.
The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a gain of 0.28%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a rise of 0.45% and Nasdaq 100 futures indicated an increase of 0.37%.
Also Monday, official data showed that Germany's trade surplus widened in line with expectations in June.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 1.62%; France’s CAC 40 advanced 1.63% while Germany's DAX gained 1.32%.
In the energy sector, shares in GDF Suez advanced 1.2% while International Power climbed 3.9% after media reports that the two companies are close to a deal that would see France’s second- largest utility take control of the British company with interests in more than 45 power stations.
Earlier in the day, official data showed that investor confidence in the euro zone jumped more-than-expected in August. The Sentix index of investor confidence rose to 8.5 in August after declining to 1.3 in June.
Analysts had expected the index to rise to 2.1 in August.
In London, the commodity heavy FTSE 100 gained 1.54% as miners advanced. Rio Tinto, the world’s third-largest mining company, climbed 1.9% while BHP Billiton Ltd, the biggest mining company, gained 1.8%.
The outlook for U.S. equity markets, meanwhile, was upbeat: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a gain of 0.28%, S&P 500 futures pointed to a rise of 0.45% and Nasdaq 100 futures indicated an increase of 0.37%.
Also Monday, official data showed that Germany's trade surplus widened in line with expectations in June.