European shares rose on Wednesday, supported by gains in healthcare stocks and strong earnings reports, while investors assessed economic data and comments from central bankers in a bid to discern the European Central Bank’s future path on interest rates.
Packaging group Smurfit Kappa declined 1.3 per cent to €31.82, while insulation-maker Kingspan shed 1.1 per cent to close at €64.92.The FTSE 100 closed down 0.1 per cent, though Marks & Spencer hit its highest levels in over a year-and-a-half following upbeat profit, while mid-cap stock ITV fell after a disappointing forecast.
Luxury carmaker Aston Martin ended 2 per cent higher after the Warwickshire-based company said Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had raised its stake by 2.6 per cent, making the sovereign fund its second-largest shareholder.