Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Investors Hub
European stocks have moved mostly higher on Friday as geopolitical worries faded and the dollar index rose on hopes for improved corporate earnings.
While the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index has inched up by 0.1 percent, the French CAC 40 Index is up by 0.4 percent and the German DAX Index is up by 0.7 percent.
On the economic front, Eurostat reported the euro area trade surplus increased in February as the decline in imports was bigger than the fall in exports. Exports fell 2.3 percent in February from January. At the same time, imports declined 3.1 percent.
Separately, German consumer price inflation accelerated in March, as initially estimated, final data from Destatis showed.
Inflation rose to 1.6 percent in March from 1.4 percent in February. The rate came in line with the flash estimate published on March 29.
Pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has rallied after its first quarter profit beat forecasts. Klepierre shares have also moved notably higher in Paris. The real estate investment trust has decided to drop a bid for U.K. mall owner Hammerson.
German automaker Volkswagen has risen after appointing Herbert Diess as its new CEO.
ArcelorMittal has also advanced after the steelmaker said it had submitted a proposed divestment package to the European Commission as part of the ongoing review into its acquisition of Ilva.
Micro Focus has jumped on a Bloomberg report that hedge fund Elliott Management has taken a stake in the software firm.
Meanwhile, Sage Group has fallen as its first-half organic revenue growth came in below expectations.
