Europe Roundup: Equities rise

LONDON: European shares rose yesterday, lifted by gains at food group Danone and fresh signs of a German economic recovery, although broader market sentiment remained cautious ahead of Italian elections this weekend.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index ended a three-day losing streak to advance 0.6 per cent to 1,166.62 points by around midday, while the euro zone's blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index rose 0.7 per cent to 2,635.07 points.

Some traders and strategists have expected European equity markets to edge lower this month, partly on expectations that uncertainty over Italian elections this weekend might cause a pull-back on stock markets after they rallied in January. Reuters