European Stocks Edge Higher; Remy Cointreau Raises Outlook By Investing.com – Investing.com

European Stocks Edge Higher; Remy Cointreau Raises Outlook By Investing.com – Investing.com

© Reuters

By Peter Nurse 

Investing.com - European stock markets edged higher Thursday with Remy Cointreau starring, while investors digested the formation of a new governing coalition in Germany as well as the region’s ongoing Covid-19 crisis.  

At 3:45 AM ET (0845 GMT), the in Germany traded 0.3% higher, the in France also rose 0.3% and the U.K.’s climbed 0.1%.

After two months of negotiations, the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats agreed a on Wednesday that will result in Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats replacing Angela Merkel as German chancellor after 16 years.

The coalition is seen promoting more public investment to speed up the shift towards a green economy, but its first priority is likely to be attempting to control the coronavirus pandemic which has returned to the continent in force.

Scholz said Wednesday that vaccinations are to be made compulsory for targeted groups, but further measures may be needed to tackle the surge in cases.

Italy announced new restrictions late Wednesday, and both the Netherlands and France are expected to reveal new measures on Friday. Austria implemented a national lockdown at the start of this week.