Markets: News  

Europe stocks inch higher ahead of U.S. jobs data

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets inched higher on Friday, recouping from a sharp selloff the prior day following disappointment with the European Central Bank, while investors awaited U.S. jobs data to be released later in the day. The Stoxx Europe 600 index added 0.1% to 259.65, after closing down 1.3% on Thursday. Siemens AG helped lift the index, up 3.8%, after announcing a share buyback program late the prior day. The gain also helped lift the DAX 30 index 0.3% to 6,626.61. In the U.K., resource firms provided support to the FTSE 100 index , up 0.3% to 5,678.78. Kazakhmys PLC rose 0.9%, while BG Group PLC gained 1%. Among French shares, banks posted the biggest gains. Credit Agricole SA picked up 2.1%, while Societe Generale SA gained 1.8%. The CAC 40 index traded 0.4% higher at 3,243.62.