U.S. stocks were poised to start the month a touch higher Thursday while European stocks were on track to break a five-session losing streak as investors largely brushed off a downbeat reading on the Chinese economy. The Stoxx Europe 600 inched up 0.3% late morning and London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.4%, narrowly on track for a record close, as the pound came under pressure. Stock moves have been muted in recent sessions as the first-quarter earnings season has mostly concluded, leaving investors struggling for a fresh catalyst. The euro settled Wednesday at its highest level against the dollar since September, and was last down 0.1% at $1.1232. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.6%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.2% higher despite losses in banks and resources companies.

Source: Wall Street Journal June 01, 2017 02:44 UTC