EUROPEAN shares inched higher today as a decline in China’s producer prices slowed and oil prices rose, while investors looked to Washington for signs of more US stimulus.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.3% by 0712 GMT (3.12pm Malaysian time), kicking off a week that could see subdued trading activity as traders head out for summer holidays.
Sectors considered more sensitive to economic health such as banks, oil and gas and automakers rose as data showed China’s factory deflation eased in July, driven by a rise in global oil prices and as industrial activity climbed back towards pre-coronavirus levels.
Shares in energy majors BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Total rose nearly 2% as crude prices gained after Saudi Aramco raised optimism about Asian demand and Iraq pledged to deepen supply cuts.
French engineering company Spie jumped 5.7% after a double upgrade to “buy” from Jefferies, while Dutch tech investor Prosus slid for a third day running as US prepares ban on two popular Chinese apps, WeChat and TikTok.
Heavyweight sectors like technology and healthcare fell 1% and 0.4%, respectively, limiting gains in the broader market. – Aug 10, 2020, Reuters
