MW: Europe stocks stay higher after U.S. Fed minutes
By Sara Sjolin
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets held on to solid gains in afternoon action on Wednesday, after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's March meeting, released five hours ahead of schedule, showed the policy-setting committee remains divided on when to end asset purchases. The Stoxx Europe 600 index XX:SXXP +1.23% traded 1% higher at 290.89. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index UK:UKX +0.88% gained 0.7% to 6,357.37, while France's CAC 40 index FR:PX1 +1.51% climbed 1.1% to 3,710.34. Germany's DAX 30 index DX:DAX +1.35% added 1.1% to 7,718.55.
