European shares edged higher on Tuesday as global markets extended their recovery rally with investors putting trade war worries on the back burner for now as attention turned to a corporate earnings season expected to deliver solid results.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.1 per cent by 0730 GMT, set for its sixth straight day of gains as strong commodities sectors continued to support the market.
Oil stocks were the biggest boost to the index, up 0.9 per cent as crude prices climbed on concerns over potential supply shortages.
Disappointing results caused some of the most eye-catching falls in early trading.
Shares in interdealer broker TP ICAP sank as much as 30 per cent, hitting a two-year low after the firm announced its chief executive would depart and cut its synergy targets for 2019, blaming Brexit-related costs.
Ocado shares fell 2.3 per cent after the online supermarket company said its 2018 pre-tax loss would exceed current market consensus, reporting first-half earnings dented by bigger investment spending.
Among notable gainers, speciality chemicals firm Wacker Chemie topped the Stoxx with a 3.8 per cent gain after Societe Generale analysts raised the stock to buy from hold.
Shares in German wind turbine maker Nordex rose 4.5 per cent after the firm scored its biggest ever single contract, for a 595 megawatt wind turbine order in Brazil.
Biotech and pharma shares rose as M&A and drug trial results boosted some small-cap names in the sector.
UK specialist healthcare services firm Cambian soared 28 per cent to the top of the small-cap index after saying it received a $536 million takeover offer from Caretech Holdings.
Switzerland-listed biotech firm Cassiopea jumped 37 per cent after positive trial results for its acne treatment cream Winlevi. – Reuters
