INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
LONDON: Robust oil and mining stocks drove European shares up on Wednesday as investors shrugged off a weaker session in Asia amid rising
tensions between the United States and China.
The pan-European STOXX 600 and eurozone STOXX were both up 0.2 percent by 0726 GMT, despite
sharp falls in Asian stocks after US President Donald Trump said the United States is taking a "tough stance" with China on trade.
Oil
stocks rose 1.2 percent after crude prices climbed thanks to falling US crude inventories, while miners climbed 1 percent.
Individual stocks
posted big moves triggered by results and MA speculation.
Dutch biotech firm Galapagos soared 16.2 percent to the top of the STOXX after
positive trial results for its filgotinib drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
British energy provider SSE sank 8.5 percent after it warned
first-half profit would halve compared with last year, calling its financial performance "disappointing and regrettable".
Peer Centrica also
fell 3.1 percent.
Shares in Zara owner Inditex meanwhile rose 2 percent to the top of Spain's IBEX after the fashion retailer said it
expected profit margin growth in the second half.
Salvatore Ferragamo topped Italy's FTSE MIB with a 4.3 percent rise, after traders cited
rumours about a potential MA deal.
The family that controls the fashion group is not interested in selling its stake, a spokeswoman for the
group said.
Hexpol shares rose 3.9 percent after the Swedish chemicals firm said it acquired US rubber compounder Kirkhill Rubber.
Broker
research also moved some stocks
German utility E.ON fell 3.5 percent to the bottom of the DAX after Morgan Stanley analysts cut their target price on the stock
