European shares edge higher amid earnings flurry, US tariff blitz
European shares edged higher on Thursday, helped by a slate of upbeat corporate updates, with investors keeping an eye on last minute trade deals after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a blitz of tariff announcements.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.3% by 0715 GMT. It is on track to end the month 1.6% higher as easing trade worries, better-than-expected U.S. and European economic data and largely upbeat earnings reports bolstered sentiment.
Ahead of the August 1 deadline, Trump released fresh levies ranging from updates on copper tariffs, goods from Brazil, South Korea and India as well as an end to exemptions for small-value overseas shipments.
Euro zone banks continued their upward momentum, adding 1%, boosted by Societe Generale raising its annual profit target on Thursday. The French bank was among top gainers on the index, advancing 7%.
Source: Reuters