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European stocks were slightly higher on Friday, with earnings and flash PMI readings in focus. <\/p>\n
Activity in Germany’s manufacturing sector improved more-than-expected in February, while services sector activity deteriorated slightly, according to a report published by the HCOB survey.<\/p>\n
The flash readings for France’s private sector signaled the steepest downturn since September 2023.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, U.K. retail sales expanded at the fastest pace in eight months in January due to the rebound in food store sales volume, the Office for National Statistics said.<\/p>\n
Retail sales volume increased 1.7 percent in January from December. The monthly growth confounded a revised fall of 0.6 percent in December.<\/p>\n
This was the first increase in five months and was also stronger than the expected growth of 0.4 percent.<\/p>\n
The pan European STOXX 600 rose 0.3 percent to 552.37 but was on track for a small weekly loss following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. <\/p>\n
The German DAX was marginally higher ahead of Sunday’s snap election. France’s CAC 40 gained 0.3 percent and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 was flat with a positive bias. <\/p>\n
Spanish energy firm Repsol fell 1.2 percent after cutting its 2030 target for green hydrogen production by up to 63 percent. <\/p>\n
Air Liquide jumped 3.2 percent. The French industrial gases supplier lifted its medium-term operating margin guidance after posting 2024 sales slightly above expectations. <\/p>\n
Swiss construction chemicals maker Sika AG climbed 2.6 percent on posting improved full-year earnings. <\/p>\n
British food processing and retailing company Associated British Foods advanced 1.3 percent after launching the second tranche of its share buyback program. <\/p>\n
Standard Chartered jumped 5.4 percent as it posted strong annual earnings and announced a $1.5 bln share buyback. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Business News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n