By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
COPENHAGEN (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets headed for a
fifth straight day of gains in thin holiday trade on Tuesday, as
investors digested the latest, better-than-expected data on
durable-goods orders from the U.S.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 0.2% to 324.06, on track for
the highest closing level since early December.
Germany's DAX 30 index , Italy's FTSE MIB index and several
other bourses were closed for trading in recognition of Christmas
Eve. Indexes in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon and
Madrid closed at midday.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index gained 0.2% to close at 6,694.17, and
France's CAC 40 index put on 0.1% to 4,218.41.
Among movers in Europe, shares of Segro PLC gained 0.9 % in
London after the property investment firm said it completed the
disposal of the Neckermann site for 46 million euros ($63
million).
Shares of British Land Co. PLC rose 0.8% after the
property-development firm said it has formed a strategic
partnership with Singapore's sovereign-wealth fund, GIC, for the
Broadgate office complex located near Liverpool Street in
London.
Oil firms mainly rose, tracking oil prices higher. Shares of BP
PLC (BP) gained 0.3%, BG Group PLC added 0.8%, and Repsol SA picked
up 0.7%.
Investors also focused on data from the U.S. Durable-goods
orders climbed 3.5% in November, led by aircraft and other
transportation equipment. That was more than the 2% forecast by
economists polled by MarketWatch. Excluding the volatile
transportation sector, orders rose 1.2%, the most since May, the
U.S. Commerce Department reported.
U.S. stock futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall
Street.
More must-reads from MarketWatch:
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