Stocks rise on China's economic recovery and reforms
Watch: Biggest gains in three months for Chinese stocks
European markets edged higher on Monday, after Chinese stocks rallied on fresh signs of strong economic recovery and market reforms.
The pan-European STOXX 600 (^STOXX) rose 0.2% on the open to its highest level in almost a month, despite its troubles getting a grip on the coronavirus.
France’s CAC 40 (^FCHI) also rose 0.2% and Germany’s DAX (^GDAXI) was trading 0.3% higher. Britain’s FTSE 100 (^FTSE) lost 0.2%, with concerns over tighter economic restrictions looming in parts of the country.
It followed gains in much of Asian in trading overnight.
“Equity markets in the region have... started the week on the front foot with the Shanghai Composite (^SSEC) leading the gains partly on the back of news that Chinese President Xi could unveil plans to further open parts of the economy to foreign investment,” noted Deutsche Bank analysts in a note.
READ MORE: UK services sector recovery slows as restrictions reintroduced
Stocks were trading 2.6% higher in Shanghai. China’s government is exploring ways for institutional investors to attract more mid and long-term funds, according to Reuters.
The most recent data also shows sustained growth in China’s services sector, a rebound in tourism and limited COVID-19 cases while other regions struggle with a resurgent virus.
The Hang Seng (^HSI) in Hong Kong rose 2.2%, and the Kospi (^KS11) in South Korea rose 0.5%, but Japan’s Nikkei (^N225) shed 0.3%.
US markets looked set to rise on the open. S&P 500 (ES=F) futures rose 0.2%, Dow Jones futures (YM=F) were flat, and Nasdaq (NQ=F) were up 0.4% as European markets opened.
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