European Stocks Close Higher

European stocks closed higher Thursday, as quarterly results were assessed after economic data showed improved business activity in the eurozone. The Stoxx 600 index was little changed, closing at 518.9 points after three sessions of losses. The British FTSE rose 0.15% to 8,269 points, the French CAC rose by about 0.1% to close at 7,503 points, and the German DAX rose 0.35% to 19,443 points. The travel and leisure sector led the gains, rising 3.2% to its highest level in nearly seven months, as shares of Swedish company Evolution rose 15% after announcing third-quarter revenues that were in line with expectations. Luxury goods stocks were second, with Hermes up 1 percent, while the auto sector was boosted by a 4.7 percent rise in French carmaker Renault after an unexpected increase in quarterly revenue. The personal and household goods sub-index rose 1.1 percent. In the eurozone's largest economy, the manufacturing PMI rose this month to 42.6 from 40.6 in September, while services activity rose to 51.4 from 50.6. Source: Qatar News Agency