(Reuters) – European shares advanced slightly on Wednesday, led by heavy health and financial stocks, while the focus remained on the trend of global monetary policy in the New Year.
The pan-European added 0.2% as of 0821 GMT, hovering near its highest level in three weeks.
Financial services were among the leading subsectors, adding 1.1% with EQT ( ST: ) gaining 2.6% after Deutsche Bank (ETR:) upgraded the investment firm to “buy” from “hold”.
Healthcare added 0.4%, with index heavyweight Novo Nordisk (NYSE: ) up 1.6%, while banks gained 0.8% and HSBC rose 1.2%.
However, marginal gains, the yield on Germany, the benchmark for the region, eased slightly but hovered near a two-month high.
Government bond yields around the world rose to follow US Treasuries after data released on Tuesday fueled concerns that the Federal Reserve may slow the pace of policy easing.
Pluxee advanced 10.1% after the French vouchers and benefits company posted 12.1% organic growth in its operating income in the first quarter, beating market expectations.
Shell ( LON: ) slipped 1.8% after the energy major cut its outlook for fourth-quarter liquefied petroleum gas production.
