Investing.com - European stock markets remained higher on Thursday, as euro zone finance ministers were preparing for talks on a Greek bailout while investors eyed the European Central Bank’s press conference later in the day.
During European afternoon trade, the EURO STOXX 50 climbed 1.12%, France’s CAC 40 advanced 1.04%, while Germany’s DAX 30 jumped 1.19%.
The ECB said it was maintaining the benchmark interest rate at a record-low 1.0% for the second consecutive month, in line with market expectations.
Investors were also looking ahead to the bank’s press conference later in the day, amid expectations that ECB President Mario Draghi could flag a possible rate cut next month.
Sentiment remained supported by expectations that the Greek government would reach a deal on further austerity measures ahead of a meeting of euro zone finance ministers later in the day.
German auto maker Daimler led gains with shares surging 4.03% after the company posted better-than-expected fourth quarter net profit and hiked its dividend.
Meanwhile, financial stocks extended earlier gains. France’s BNP Paribas and Societe Generale climbed 1.48% and 4.15% respectively, while German Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank soared 1.33% and 3.33%.
In London, FTSE 100 rose 0.71%, supported by gains in financial stocks after the Bank of England increased its quantitative easing program by GBP50 billion and left interest rates unchanged at a record low 0.5%.
Shares in Lloyds Banking soared 3.64% and the Royal Bank of Scotland jumped 2.77%, while Barclays and HSBC Holdings advanced 1.97% and 0.90%.
British Petroleum also saw shares jump 0.95% after saying that it is negotiating with U.S. officials to settle pollution claims over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill that may leave the company liable for as much as USD17.6 billion in fines.
Meanwhile, Tullow Oil soared 2.40% and Aggreko, the world’s largest power generation company, gained 0.37%.
Mining giants Bhp Billiton turned lower, however, with shares sinking 1.19%, while copper producers Xstrata and Kazakhmys rose 0.40% and 0.17%.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a higher open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.26%, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.24% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.14% gain.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish government data on unemployment claims.
During European afternoon trade, the EURO STOXX 50 climbed 1.12%, France’s CAC 40 advanced 1.04%, while Germany’s DAX 30 jumped 1.19%.
The ECB said it was maintaining the benchmark interest rate at a record-low 1.0% for the second consecutive month, in line with market expectations.
Investors were also looking ahead to the bank’s press conference later in the day, amid expectations that ECB President Mario Draghi could flag a possible rate cut next month.
Sentiment remained supported by expectations that the Greek government would reach a deal on further austerity measures ahead of a meeting of euro zone finance ministers later in the day.
German auto maker Daimler led gains with shares surging 4.03% after the company posted better-than-expected fourth quarter net profit and hiked its dividend.
Meanwhile, financial stocks extended earlier gains. France’s BNP Paribas and Societe Generale climbed 1.48% and 4.15% respectively, while German Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank soared 1.33% and 3.33%.
In London, FTSE 100 rose 0.71%, supported by gains in financial stocks after the Bank of England increased its quantitative easing program by GBP50 billion and left interest rates unchanged at a record low 0.5%.
Shares in Lloyds Banking soared 3.64% and the Royal Bank of Scotland jumped 2.77%, while Barclays and HSBC Holdings advanced 1.97% and 0.90%.
British Petroleum also saw shares jump 0.95% after saying that it is negotiating with U.S. officials to settle pollution claims over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill that may leave the company liable for as much as USD17.6 billion in fines.
Meanwhile, Tullow Oil soared 2.40% and Aggreko, the world’s largest power generation company, gained 0.37%.
Mining giants Bhp Billiton turned lower, however, with shares sinking 1.19%, while copper producers Xstrata and Kazakhmys rose 0.40% and 0.17%.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a higher open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a rise of 0.26%, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.24% increase, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.14% gain.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish government data on unemployment claims.