European stocks rise for second straight session

European stock indices rose in early Friday trading for another session as sentiment improves in the market after strong Wall Street gains and upbeat European services data.

Dow Jones Stoxx Europe rose 0.2% after rallying 1.3% yesterday on strong gains in banking and financial sectors. 

Stoxx Europe rose on Friday for another session with most major sectors firmly in the green. 

Banking and financial stocks continued to lead with 1% gains on prospects of higher US interest rates faster than expected. 

S&P 500 futures rose 0.3% today after the index closed up 1.1% yesterday amid signs the US government is controlling the Covid 19 pandemic. 

In Europe, initial data showed the services sector improved by the best pace in three years during May as Covid restrictions are cut back. 

In Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 climbed 0.25%, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.4%, as Germany's DAX climbed 0.2%. 

In London, the Financial Times 100 index declined 0.3%, bucking the European trade as sterling's rise hurts exporting stocks.