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European stock markets close higher
European stock markets rose during trading on Wednesday, February 26, as investors watched a wave of European corporate earnings releases.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 5.47 points, or 0.99%, to 559.67 points at the end of trading, with most sectors and all major bourses in positive territory.
The German DAX index closed the session up 383.84 points, or 1.71%, to 22,794.11 points, as German stocks continued the rally that began after the German federal elections over the weekend.
The British FTSE 100 index rose 62.79 points, or 0.72%, to close at 8,731.46 points.
The French CAC 40 index rose 92.85 points, or 1.15%, to close at 8,143.92 points.
Shares of AB Inbev’s Budweiser rose 8.5% after the company reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales.
Austrian construction company Wienerberger was among the top performers on the Stoxx 600, with shares jumping 11.2% after the company raised its dividend and reported a 7% year-on-year rise in annual revenue.
Staffing giant Adecco also rose 12.3% after the company cut its dividend and reported a 14% year-on-year decline in operating income for 2024, but said in its earnings report that it had exceeded its target to cut general and administrative costs, saving 174 million euros for the year.
