UPDATE 1-European stocks scale all-time highs after Fed holds stance
Article summary
For a Reuters live blog on U.S. , UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window) * Fed committed to support economy until recovery more secure * Astrazeneca gains despite restrictions on vaccine use * UK’s Johnson Matthey jumps on upbeat forecast (Adds comment, updates prices) April 8 (Reuters) – European stocks hit record highs on Thursday as optimism grew around a global stimulus-fuelled economic rebound after the U.S. Federal Reserve signalled that it was in no hurry to tighten its monetary policy. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.3%, according to Google Finance data, adding to gains notched earlier this week when the index erased all of its pandemic-driven losses. […] Market participants will now turn their focus to the European Central Bank, which is expected to release its March meeting minutes at 1130 GMT. […] Holland-based technology investor Prosus NV rose slightly after it sold 2% of China’s Tencent Holdings Ltd for $14.7 billion in the world’s largest-ever block trade. Chemicals maker Johnson Matthey jumped almost 4% after it forecast annual profit at the top end of market expectations and said it had started a strategic review of its health business.
