Investing.com – European stock markets were up on Thursday, following upbeat data on the euro zone manufacturing and services sectors, and after food giant Nestle posted better-than-forecast sales.
During European morning trade, France’s CAC 40 was up 0.71%; Germany's DAX rose 0.83%; Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.62%; and the EURO STOXX 50 was up 0.58%.
Earlier in the day, surveys showed that in April, the euro zone's manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace since June 2006, far quicker than expected, and the services sector grew at its fastest pace in 30 months.
Also Thursday, Nestle AG reported a 4.4% increase in first-quarter sales, as the world's biggest food group made strong gains in emerging economies. Nestle subsequently rose 2.3% in European trade.
The outlook for U.S. markets was mixed: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.14%, S&P 500 Index futures pointed to an increase of 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 Index futures indicated a decline of 0.12%.
Meanwhile, Britain was set to release key data on its retail sector and public sector net borrowing. Later Thursday, the United States was due to publish key reports on initial jobless claims and existing home sales.
During European morning trade, France’s CAC 40 was up 0.71%; Germany's DAX rose 0.83%; Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.62%; and the EURO STOXX 50 was up 0.58%.
Earlier in the day, surveys showed that in April, the euro zone's manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace since June 2006, far quicker than expected, and the services sector grew at its fastest pace in 30 months.
Also Thursday, Nestle AG reported a 4.4% increase in first-quarter sales, as the world's biggest food group made strong gains in emerging economies. Nestle subsequently rose 2.3% in European trade.
The outlook for U.S. markets was mixed: Dow Jones Industrial Average futures indicated a rise of 0.14%, S&P 500 Index futures pointed to an increase of 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 Index futures indicated a decline of 0.12%.
Meanwhile, Britain was set to release key data on its retail sector and public sector net borrowing. Later Thursday, the United States was due to publish key reports on initial jobless claims and existing home sales.