Europe Stocks Edge Up As Fed Decision Looms

European stocks moved cautiously higher Wednesday, as markets awaited the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary-meeting and mulled China factory data that showed some weak spots.

Purchasing-manager surveys will also be relaesed Wednesday in Europe. The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.3% to 262.05, led by a 1.2% rise for HSBC Holdings PLC . Standard Chartered PLC rose 2.33% on the back of earnings. The FTSE 100 index rose 0.4% to 5,658.49.

French banks were also boosting the CAC 40 index , up 0.6% to 3,311.92. Shares of Societe Generale SA rose 2.7% after the French bank posted a profit fall but was upbeat. The German DAX 30 index rose 0.1% to 6,780.58, with BMW AG down 2.7% after posting a profit fall.

Marketwatch