European stocks on Wednesday closed higher, supported by gains in a number of companies and banks.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index ended trading up 0.8 percent, touching its highest level in more than two weeks recorded earlier in the session, achieving a monthly advance of more than 1 percent.
The technology sector led the gains of the main sectors on the Stoxx 600 index, rising 2.6 percent with the Dutch chip equipment maker ASML jumping 5.6 percent.
The aerospace sector rose 1.3 percent, with Airbus shares rising 4.8 percent after the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer published better-than-expected second-quarter results.
The British FTSE 100 index rose 1.15 percent to 8,367 points, the German DAX index rose 0.55 percent to close at 18,508 points, while the French CAC 40 rose about 0.75 percent to 7,531 points.
Shares of London-listed HSBC rose 4 percent after the bank announced a $3 billion share buyback and raised its income forecast. (QNA)
Source: Qatar News Agency