European stocks rose on Wednesday, extending gains for the third straight day, near record highs, thanks to positive sentiment and expectations of a strong global economic growth this year, and growing prospects for the European Central Bank to continue its stimulus policy during 2022.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose over 0.2% as of 11:45 GMT, after closing higher by 0.8% yesterday, and posted a record high at 495.46 points.
The travel sector saw the largest gains in Europe today, with a rise of over 1.5%, after strong gains in the US markets.
Investors' sentiment in Europe remains very positive thanks to expectations of a strong global economic growth this year, and growing prospects for the European Central Bank to continue its stimulus policy during 2022.
S&P 500 futures fell 0.2% today ahead of Wall Street's opening, after the index closed lower by 0.1% yesterday, after hitting an all-time high at 4,818.62 points.
Back to Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 index rose 0.5%, France's CAC 40 rose 0.5%, Germany's DAX rose 0.75%, and the UK's FTSE 100 rose 0.2%.