By Johann M Cherian and Ozan Ergenay
(Reuters) -European shares rose on Wednesday, led by gains in technology-related stocks ahead of a crucial inflation report out of the United States, while Barry Callebaut was on track for its best day in over five-and-a-half years following results.
The pan-continent STOXX 600 added 0.7% by 0833 GMT, led by a 1.5% gain in the technology sector following upbeat quarterly revenue from Taiwan chipmaker TSMC.
Tech-related stocks were among the top performers in the previous quarter, benefiting from the global enthusiasm for the prospects of artificial intelligence.
Topping the STOXX, Barry Callebaut jumped 6.8% after the chocolate maker reported upbeat half-yearly revenue helped by increasing cocoa prices. The broader good and beverages index gained 0.5%.
Since the start of April, the benchmark index has traded in a tight range, not far away from record highs hit last month, as caution dominated the mood ahead of U.S. March consumer prices.
The data, due at 1230 GMT, could offer clues on when the most influential central bank might begin to reduce interest rates. Market bets for a June rate cut currently stand at 53% after recent data pointed to a still resilient economy. [0#FEDWATCH]
“The U.S. CPI print will be heavily in focus after the last two prints came in strongly… If there is a third strong reading, it would be increasingly difficult to explain that as just a temporary blip,” analysts at Deutsche Bank said in a note.
Later in the week, the focus will be on the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting, where traders expect rates to be left unchanged. [0#ECBWATCH]
Among others, Koninklijke Philips surged 2.8% after the medical equipment maker reached an agreement with the U.S. government on a consent decree about the sales of its new sleep apnea machines.
Defence stocks including Senior, Rheinmetall <RHMG.DE>, SAAB and Leonardo gained between 0.5% and 2.0%, following Tuesday’s sharp sell-off.
Shares of wind turbine producers Siemens Energy and Nordex added 2.8% and 3.7%, respectively. The move comes after the European Commission said it will investigate subsidies received by Chinese suppliers destined for Europe, in the bloc’s latest move to shield domestic firms from cheap clean tech products.
Italgas slipped 1.1% after the Italian gas distributor sent a preliminary offer worth 4-5 billion euros ($4.3-5.4 billion) for its main domestic rival 2i Rete Gas, as per a report.
Elsewhere, Norway’s benchmark index gained 0.8% after data showed the core inflation rate fell below expectation in March, supporting the central bank’s view that interest rates will decline later this year.
(Reporting by Johann M Cherian and Ozan Ergenay; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Eileen Soreng)
