Jul. 9 at 11:05 PM
European stock markets were higher on Wednesday, with banks providing the biggest boost, as Italy's bank-heavy benchmark jumped to its highest since 2007, as investors awaited signs of progress on a trade accord between the European Union & the U.S. French
$CAC40 +1.44%, German
$DAX +1.42%, Italian FTSE +1.59%, Spain’s Ibex +1.24%, London
$FTSE +0.15% & European STOXX 600 +0.78% at 549.96, at a 4 week high. A broader gauge of Eurozone banks climbed +2.7% to its highest level since 2010, with French bank Societe Generale also rising +4%. European defense companies gained +1.4% to reach an all-time high. The European Stoxx Aerospace & Defense index rose to a new record high following a gain of around +1.1%. So far this year, the index has surged more than 53%. German defense contractor Renk rose +5.3% after it was reported that the company was considering selling its civilian industrial unit, or part of it.
