Europe: Stocks ahead at open

European shares were steady in early trading on Thursday, taking a breather from their sharp two-month rally, with Allianz falling after its dividend rise disappointed. 

PHOTO: REUTERS

MAY 15, 20153:20 PM

[LONDON] European stock markets rose at the start of trading on Friday, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index up 0.26 per cent at 6,991.36 points.

Elsewhere, the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.40 per cent to 5,049.56 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 won 0.29 per cent to 11,593.20 compared with Thursday's close.

Asian equities mostly advanced Friday following a healthy rally on Wall Street, while Tokyo was supported by a weaker yen.

Wall Street jumped Thursday as expectations the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates have fizzled in the wake of a string of soft economic indicators.

AFP