BRUSSELS, June 8 — European stocks hit new highs today, lifted by travel and real estate shares, but weak German industrial output data and doubts over the United Kingdom lifting restrictions later this month capped gains.
The travel and leisure index rose 0.7 per cent, supported largely by gains in low-cost carrier easyJet after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to “buy”. “Markets are in a wait-and-see mode. Valuations are high, and they need new catalysts to justify further buying.” Investor concerns were, however, stoked as The Times reported that Britain’s next phase in easing of lockdown on June 21 could be delayed by a fortnight amid concerns over the spreading of new variants of Covid-19.