European markets closed higher Tuesday, with investors keeping an eye on political upheaval in France.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index provisionally ended the day up 0.44%, with sectors mostly trading in positive territory. Retail stocks led gains, up 1.56%.
France’s financial markets are being closely watched Tuesday after Prime Minister Michel Barnier turned to special constitutional powers to pass a contested budget bill without a parliamentary vote.
The Swiss Market Index was little changed after inflation data showed consumer prices rose 0.7% year-on-year in November, just shy of the 0.8% print expected by analysts polled by Reuters.
Overnight, Asia-Pacific markets traded higher, tracking gains on Wall Street after the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite rose to new records overnight. U.S. stocks slipped on Tuesday.
European markets ended the day higher on Tuesday, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closing up 0.44%.
Retail stocks led gains, adding 1.56%, while construction and materials stocks also added more than 1%. Insurance stocks meanwhile fell 0.36%.
