Dipo OlowookereBy Investors Hub
European stocks have risen on Friday and remain on track to end the week at six-week highs as earnings optimism and easing of U.S.-EU trade tensions helped support underlying sentiment.
In economic news, an ECB survey predicted faster inflation and slower eurozone growth this year.
While the French CAC 40 Index has edged up by 0.2 percent, the German DAX Index and the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index are up by 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.
LafargeHolcim has rallied after the company confirmed its full-year growth view despite reporting a sharp drop in first-half net profits.
British telecommunications holding company BT Group has also soared after backing its full-year guidance.
Consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser has also advanced. The company lifted its full-year revenue growth forecast after posting slightly higher first-half profit before tax.
Carrefour has moved sharply higher after the French retailer confirmed its financial targets after reporting a rise in first-half operating profits.
Media conglomerate Lagardere has also moved to the upside. The company upgraded its 2018 group recurring EBIT after reporting a rise in first-half profit.
On the flip side, French luxury group Kering has slumped. The company said it hasn’t seen any slowdown in demand from Chinese clients but would remain “very vigilant.”
Personal care company L’Oreal has also dropped after sales growth of its mass-market brands fell short of estimates.
International consulting firm Capgemini has tumbled after its first-half profit dropped to 314 million from 375 million euros last year.
