UKX FTSE 100 Index

By Carla Mozee, MarketWatch

H&M shares lower after results

European stocks popped higher in Thursday's session, with broad-based gains indicating a pickup in risk appetite after two sessions of losses that were in part spurred by fears of a global trade war.

How markets are moving

The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.3% to 376.14 as all sectors rose. On Wednesday, the index fell 0.2% (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-flip-up-as-draghi-says-subdued-inflation-will-keep-bond-buys-in-place-2018-03-14), reversing gains made during the session.

Germany's DAX 30 jumped 0.8% to 12,330.06, and France's CAC 40 index rose 0.5% to 5,261.53. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index rose 0.3% to 7,155.70.

The euro bought $1.2359, slightly up from $1.2369 late Wednesday in New York.

What's driving markets

The tech and insurance groups were among the strongest performers after two straight losing sessions for regional shares. European stocks had been on course to finish higher on Wednesday, but turned around alongside a sell off in U.S. stocks . Wall Street's selloff () was led by falls for major industrial stocks, after the White House said it will seek to trim the U.S.'s trade deficit with China by $100 billion, using tariffs.

Trade-war fears have been putting pressure on global markets in recent sessions as U.S. President Donald Trump ordered tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

What strategists are saying

"Equities are edging up this morning as investors are in bargain-hunting mode. The strong finish in Asia overnight has encouraged dealers to buy back into the market. That being said, there still is political and economic uncertainty surrounding the U.S. For now, investors are viewing no news as good news," said David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets, in a note.

Stocks in focus

H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB slid 4.7% after the Swedish fast-fashion retailer posted lower-than-expected sales in the first quarter.

Assicurazioni Generali SpA (G.MI) shares rose 1.9% after the Italian insurer said it will raise its dividend for 2017 (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/generali-2017-net-profit-edges-up-hikes-dividend-2018-03-15) as net profit increased slightly and operating profit reached a record high during the year.

Shares of Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC (SPX.LN) bulked up 2% as the engineering company said profit increased 12% in 2017 and declared a last dividend of the year at 62 pence, up 16% from the year-earlier period. (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spirax-sarco-profit-climbs-lifts-final-dividend-2018-03-15)

Unilever PLC (ULVR.LN) gave up 1.1% after the consumer-goods heavyweight said it will consolidate its dual headquarters in Rotterdam (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/unilever-chooses-rotterdam-over-london-for-hq-2018-03-15) rather than in London. The decision was made despite last-minute lobbying by the U.K. government, which has argued that its planned "Brexit" from the European Union will be positive for the country.

The Dutch-Anglo company also said it will restructure its operations into three divisions with separate headquarters, with Unilever's beauty and personal care, and home care units based in London.

Tesco shares (TSCO.LN) climbed 2.3% after the supermarket was upgraded to overweight at J.P. Morgan, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 15, 2018 06:28 ET (10:28 GMT)

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