Dipo Olowookere
By Investors Hub
European stocks are broadly higher on Wednesday, with technology and commodity-related stocks leading the gainers.
The upside remains capped somewhat amid concerns that big spending plans and other changes proposed by the new coalition government in Italy will increase the country’s debt burden.
The euro rose against the dollar after ECB Executive Board member Peter Praet said that next week’s policy meeting will be crucial for reaching a decision on the termination of a further extension of net purchases.
While the French CAC 40 Index has inched up by 0.1 percent, the U.K.?s FTSE 100 Index and the German DAX Index are up by 0.4 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.
Deutsche Lufthansa has moved higher after the airline offered its shareholders the option of receiving their dividend of 0.80 euros per share in the form of new shares in the company.
Shares of Duerr AG have also jumped. The company announced that it is taking over the industrial environmental technology business of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Smurfit Kappa Group shares have also rallied in London. The company said it remains excited about the Group’s prospects in the short, medium and long-term after International Paper confirmed that it will not make a bid for the Irish company.
Meanwhile, British packaging group RPC has fallen sharply after reporting full-year results.
