European equities markets see gains

Most global equities markets saw advances on Friday. In Europe, he FTSE Eurofirst 300 added 0.6 percent to 1.605.33. Among continental markets, the IBEX gained 0.49 percent to 14,892 in Madrid, while the Paris CAC-40 was 0.81 percent higher to 6,054.93 and in Frankfurt the Dax was up 1.09 percent to 8,007.32. Sportswear manufacturers were higher, as were industrial gases suppliers. Carmakers and utilities were mixed, and property developers saw declines.

In London, the FTSE 100 added 6,607.9, while the FTSE 250 was 0.07 percent higher to 11,527.6. Banks were higher as were some publishers and retailers. Insurers and property developers saw declines, although an online property search company advanced on the session.

The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong dropped 0.75 percent to 21,772.73, but the rest of the Asia-Pacific region saw gains. In Australia, the Sydney Ordinaries added 0.21 percent to 6,310.6. The Straits Times index in Singapore gained 0.8 percent to 3,548.2, while in India the Sensex was 1.01 percent higher to 14,650. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 added 1.1 percent to 18,138.36, while the Topix index was up 1.4 percent to 1,774.88. Carmakers were higher, but the consumer finance sector and restaurants declined.

In early afternoon trade in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 0.09 percent higher to 13,434.88, while the Nasdaq Composite had added 0.08 percent to 2,610.41 and the S&P 500 was also up 0.08 percent to 1,506.94. Banks saw declines, while both carmakers and the telecommunications sector were mixed.

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