Europe Roundup: Fresh peaks

LONDON: Major European equity indexes rose to fresh highs yesterday, buoyed by financial stocks and expectations that central banks will sustain stimulus measures in order to support the global economy.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 1.1 per cent to 1,181.58 points to mark a fresh two-year high by around midday.

The eurozone's blue chip Euro STOXX 50 index also advanced 1.4 percent to 2,655.05 points while the broader STOXX Europe 600 index rose 1.3 per cent to 292.55 points, its highest level since mid-2008.

British-listed bank Standard Chartered rose 2.8 per cent to add the most points to the FTSEurofirst 300 index after it reported record profits. Reuters