Europe stocks regain traction, turn higher
MADRID (MarketWatch) -- European markets traded volatile on Thursday, but stocks moved off earlier lows to trade rise, shaking off a clutch of downbeat euro-area data. The Stoxx Europe 600 index (STX:XX:SXXP) rose 0.5% to 240.79, led by oil and banking stocks. The FTSE 100 index (FTI:UK:UKX) was especially strong, up 0.8% to 5,306.32, as heavyweight HSBC Holdings PLC (LSS:UK:HSBA) (NYSE:HBC) rose 1.4% and BP PLC (LSS:UK:BP) (NYSE:BP) rose 1.7%. The French CAC 40 index (ENX:FRX1) rose 0.5% to 3,019.72, led by a 2% rise for Credit Agricole SA (EPA:FR:ACA) , but retailer Carrefour SA (EPA:FR:CA) fell 1.6%. The German DAX 30 index (ITFXAX) lagged with a 0.3% gain to 6,302.94, as E.On AG (BEBE:EOAN) rose 1.7%, but Infineon Technologies AG (HAJE:IFX) dropped 1.4%.