European stocks close higher on optimistic business forecasts

The outlook released by Nvidia also helped spark a recovery in stocks pegged to the semiconductor industry

 

Stock exchanges in Europe closed slightly higher on Thursday (23), after two consecutive sessions of declines, supported by stocks in the financial sector and optimistic projections of companies.

 

The prospect released by the North American Nvidia also helped to provoke a recovery in papers linked to the semiconductor industry.

 

The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed up 0.1%.

 

French insurance group AXA rose 3.2% after raising its 2023 forecast and announcing a share buyback program. Banks appreciated by 0.9%, while insurers advanced by 0.3%.

 

Also helping boost investor confidence, data showed that euro zone inflation was just slightly higher than the previous January estimate, confirmation that price growth has now passed its peak.