Investing.com – European shares closed higher on Thursday as U.S. and euro zone economic data topped estimates.
After the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 was higher by 0.86% France's CAC 40 advanced 0.76%, while Germany's DAX 30 climbed by 0.98%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 advanced 0.63%.
A German report indicating that the countries manufacturing industry contracted less than expected combined with France's climbing Purchasing and Services Managing index, provided much needed optimism to euro zone stocks.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. the number of unemployment applications dropped by 19,000 to 366,000, beating estimates and the fewest since 2008.
Insurer Old Mutual surged 12%, leading stocks higher, after announcing it will sell its Nordic business for 2.1 billion pounds.
Financial companies also participated in the bullish advance with Commerzbank climbing 6.5% and Raiffesisen Bank International jumping higher by 5.5%.
On the bearish side, Telefonica gave back 1% after Spain's old telephone monopoly lowered its 2012 dividend forecast by 14%.
U.S. stocks were broadly higher across the board in midday trading with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.54%, the S&P 500 advancing 0.57% and the Nasdaq 100 climbing 0.14%.
U.S. consumer price inflation figures await traders Friday, along with an ECB head Mario Draghi speech.
After the close of European trade, the EURO STOXX 50 was higher by 0.86% France's CAC 40 advanced 0.76%, while Germany's DAX 30 climbed by 0.98%. Meanwhile, in the U.K. the FTSE 100 advanced 0.63%.
A German report indicating that the countries manufacturing industry contracted less than expected combined with France's climbing Purchasing and Services Managing index, provided much needed optimism to euro zone stocks.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. the number of unemployment applications dropped by 19,000 to 366,000, beating estimates and the fewest since 2008.
Insurer Old Mutual surged 12%, leading stocks higher, after announcing it will sell its Nordic business for 2.1 billion pounds.
Financial companies also participated in the bullish advance with Commerzbank climbing 6.5% and Raiffesisen Bank International jumping higher by 5.5%.
On the bearish side, Telefonica gave back 1% after Spain's old telephone monopoly lowered its 2012 dividend forecast by 14%.
U.S. stocks were broadly higher across the board in midday trading with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.54%, the S&P 500 advancing 0.57% and the Nasdaq 100 climbing 0.14%.
U.S. consumer price inflation figures await traders Friday, along with an ECB head Mario Draghi speech.