WSJ: GLOBAL MARKETS: European Stocks Rise On Earnings Optimism
LONDON (Dow Jones)--European stocks rose sharply Wednesday, helped by continuing positive sentiment regarding U.S. earnings and more evidence of merger & acquisition activity. However, a degree of nervousness remains ahead of comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.
"After a rocky start to the earnings season, investors have jumped on Apple's earnings and an increase in M&A activity as an excuse to take equities higher," said David Morrison at GFT.
By 1020 GMT, Stoxx Europe 600 index was up 1.7% at 250.49. London's FTSE 100 index was up 1.7% at 5224.72, Frankfurt's DAX index rose 1.3% to 6044.15, and Paris's ...