European stocks closed higher after US indexes rip to record highs
Stock markets in Europe closed higher on Tuesday, following record highs on Wall Street and expectations that OPEC members could reach an agreement over an output cut.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.23 percent with most stocks trading in positive territory. Basic Resources stocks outperformed their peers during Tuesday’s session, jumping more than 3.4 percent.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average continued higher with all three main U.S. stock indices trading at record highs as investors digested President-elect Donald Trump’s policy agenda.
Oil prices reached a monthly peak on Tuesday, helping risk assets, despite a tsunami in Japan from a 7.4 magnitude quake. Goldman Sachs said in a note on Monday: “The increased likelihood of an OPEC cut motivates our near-term forecast upgrade. Stronger than expected demand growth and lower production from high-cost countries increase our confidence that the global oil market will shift into deficit by (the second half of 2017) even with OPEC production above current levels.”
The market remained sensitive to comments from OPEC members, with Iraq and Iran hesitant to cut output.However a growing consensus among investors is that the oil producers would settle internal disputes and reach a deal, Reuters reported.
Brent crude was trading around $48.80 a barrel, down 0.09 percent at the European close, while WTI crude was selling at $47.78 a barrel, down 0.93 percent.
Vinci shares dipped suddenly on Tuesday after a hoax media report suggested the French construction and concessions company were set to revise 2015 and 2016 accounts and fire its finance director. Shares were down 3.7 percent on Tuesday’s close.
The post US-election rally continued with Glencore, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto all ending the trading day over 3 percent in the black. However, Anglo American led the way and closed up by over 7.6 percent.
In Europe, Prime Minister Theresa May is chairing a cabinet meeting on Tuesday amid reports of divisions surrounding Brexit. In the U.S., President-elect Donald Trump presented on Monday his plans for his first day in office, including withdrawing from a major trade accord with Pacific countries and investigating abuses of work visa programs.
Source: CNBC
