Investing.com - European stocks were mixed to higher on Thursday, as investors eyed a European summit due to begin later in the day, while concerns over global economic growth seemed to subside.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 inched up 0.03%, France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.03%, while Germany’s DAX 30 rose 0.32%.
Market sentiment remained supported after official data showed that the Chinese economy expanded by 7.4% in the three months to October, matching economists' forecasts.
The data came one day after a report showing that U.S. housing starts rose by 15% in September, the fastest pace since July 2008, adding to hopes that the U.S. economic recovery is gaining momentum.
Investors were also looking ahead to the start of a two-day European Union summit, although no major announcements on Spain or Greece were expected.
Financial stocks were broadly lower, as shares in French lenders BNP Paribas and Societe Generale advanced 1.44% and 0.15%, while Germany's Deutsche Bank declined 0.23%.
Peripheral lenders added to losses, with Italian banks Unicredit and Intesa Sanpaolo sliding 0.43% and 1.47%, while Spain's BBVA and Banco Santander tumbled 0.96% and 1.45%.
Elsewhere, Nestle plunged 1.94%, as the company reported nine-month sales growth that missed analysts' estimates.
On the upside, Switzerland’s largest biotechnology company, Actelion rallied 1.95% after reporting third-quarter net income of CHF94.6 million, exceeding the average CHF79.6 million analyst estimate.
In London, commodity-heavy FTSE 100 added 0.28%, supported by gains in energy stocks and after data showed that retail sales in the U.K. rose more-than-expected in September.
Mining company Evraz led gains, with shares surging 2.45%, while rivals Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton advanced 1.33% and 1.04% respectively.
Oil and gas major BP was also on the upside, as shares jumped 1.23%, while Anglo American climbed 0.94%.
Meanwhile, financial stocks were mostly higher, as HSBC Holdings rose 0.38% and Lloyds Banking rallied 1.19%, while Barclays surged 1.28%. The Royal Bank of Scotland outperformed counterparts on the other hand, with shares falling 0.23%.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a steady open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.07% gain, S&P 500 futures were flat, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.01% rise.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish its weekly report in initial jobless claims, as well as data on manufacturing activity in Philadelphia.
During European morning trade, the EURO STOXX 50 inched up 0.03%, France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.03%, while Germany’s DAX 30 rose 0.32%.
Market sentiment remained supported after official data showed that the Chinese economy expanded by 7.4% in the three months to October, matching economists' forecasts.
The data came one day after a report showing that U.S. housing starts rose by 15% in September, the fastest pace since July 2008, adding to hopes that the U.S. economic recovery is gaining momentum.
Investors were also looking ahead to the start of a two-day European Union summit, although no major announcements on Spain or Greece were expected.
Financial stocks were broadly lower, as shares in French lenders BNP Paribas and Societe Generale advanced 1.44% and 0.15%, while Germany's Deutsche Bank declined 0.23%.
Peripheral lenders added to losses, with Italian banks Unicredit and Intesa Sanpaolo sliding 0.43% and 1.47%, while Spain's BBVA and Banco Santander tumbled 0.96% and 1.45%.
Elsewhere, Nestle plunged 1.94%, as the company reported nine-month sales growth that missed analysts' estimates.
On the upside, Switzerland’s largest biotechnology company, Actelion rallied 1.95% after reporting third-quarter net income of CHF94.6 million, exceeding the average CHF79.6 million analyst estimate.
In London, commodity-heavy FTSE 100 added 0.28%, supported by gains in energy stocks and after data showed that retail sales in the U.K. rose more-than-expected in September.
Mining company Evraz led gains, with shares surging 2.45%, while rivals Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton advanced 1.33% and 1.04% respectively.
Oil and gas major BP was also on the upside, as shares jumped 1.23%, while Anglo American climbed 0.94%.
Meanwhile, financial stocks were mostly higher, as HSBC Holdings rose 0.38% and Lloyds Banking rallied 1.19%, while Barclays surged 1.28%. The Royal Bank of Scotland outperformed counterparts on the other hand, with shares falling 0.23%.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a steady open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.07% gain, S&P 500 futures were flat, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.01% rise.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish its weekly report in initial jobless claims, as well as data on manufacturing activity in Philadelphia.