MW: European stocks hold gains after U.S. claims data
By Sara Sjolin
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets held onto gains in afternoon action on Thursday after data from the U.S. showed initial weekly jobless claims jumped by 16,000 to 360,000 last week, the highest level in two months. Investors have lately been keeping a close eye on U.S. data after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank could start tapering its monthly asset purchases if data continue to improve. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP +0.53% rose 0.4% to 296.08. Germany's DAX 30 index DX:DAX +1.07% added 1% to 8,143.02, while France's CAC 40 index FR:PX1 +0.81% picked up 0.6% to 3,862.62. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index UK:UKX +0.50% gained 0.4% to 6,527.83.
