European shares rises, investors weigh Fed stimulus hopes

ecPulse
2014-08-21 09:01AM UTC

European stocks traded sharply higher on Thursday, after fluctuating in early trades, as bets the Federal Reserve will continue to support the economy outweighed a slowdown in manufacturing growth in China and the euro area.

- Euro Stoxx rose 0.48%, 1.49 points to 313.06

- STX Europe 600 edged 0.32% higher to 336.38

- Euro Stoxx 50 added 0.57% to trade at 3,100.82

Eurozone Business Growth Slows In August

Shares traded slightly higher in Europe despite data showing Eurozone private sector activity slowed in August, adding to fears that the recovery in the region is faltering.

Data released earlier in the day showed activity in the Eurozone’s manufacturing sector slowed to a 13 month low in August, with the euro zone manufacturing PMI down to 50.8 from 51.8 in July.  The region’s services PMI slid to 53.5.

While, activity in Germany’s factor sector slowed but remained solid, with the German manufacturing PMI down to 52.0. The country’s services PMI ticked down to 56.4 from 56.7 last month.

The weak data added to pressure on the European Central Bank (ECB) to implement fresh measures to shore up the recovery in the euro-area after it cut rates to record lows in June.

Mixed Signals from UK

Data released earlier in the day showed British retail sales grew in July at a weaker pace than expected. While a separate government finances data showed an unexpected deficit in July for the second year running.

- British FTSE 100 rose 0.25%, 16.97 points to trade at 6,771.78

- French CAC 40 added 0.47%, 20.08 points to 4,260.87

- German DAX gained 0.28%, 27.63 points to 9,342.10

US Data, Jackson Hole Meeting Eyed

Today’s slate of data is more than just an appetizer leading up to Fed’s Chief Janet Yellen’s speech on Friday at an annual gathering of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The first to hit will be the initial weekly unemployment claims report followed by existing home sales.

In the previous session, latest Federal Reserve Policy meeting minutes showed that the central bankers were surprised at the speed of the jobs recovery.

Ongoing Political Uncertainties

Heavy fighting between government forces and pro-Russia rebels raged across eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, despite calls for a cease-fire from Russia and Europe.

In the Middle East, Israel suspended cease-fire talks with Palestinian factions after a barrage of rockets from Gaza struck its territory.

Meanwhile in Iraq, fighting continued with government and Kurdish forces making gains against Islamic militants with the help of U.S. airstrikes.

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