Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Europe open: Shares up as German factory orders rise, BP ups buybacks

(Sharecast News) - European shares rallied at the open on Tuesday as German factory orders unexpectedly rose in December, while oil giant BP surged after it announced a $1.75bn share buyback. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.50% at 486 in early deals.

German factory orders rose 8.9% on the month on a seasonally and calendar adjusted basis following a flat reading in November and versus expectations for them to be unchanged.

On the year, meanwhile, factory orders were 2.7% higher in December following a 4.7% decline the month before.

In 2023 as a whole, incoming orders fell by 5.9% on a calendar-adjusted basis compared to the previous year, according to official data. However, other vehicle construction recorded growth - this includes, among other things, the construction of aircraft, ships and trains.

In equity news, BP rose to the top of the Stoxx 600, up 5%, after announcing plans increase shareholder returns even after a full-year profits halved on the back of weaker oil prices.

Swiss bank UBS fell despite beating fourth-quarter earnings expectations and unveiling a return of share buybacks worth up to $1bn in the second half of the year.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

US pre-open: Dow futures little changed ahead of FOMC meeting
(Sharecast News) - Dow Jones futures were little changed ahead of the bell on Tuesday as market participants looked ahead to the outcome of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting and more mega-cap earnings.
London midday: FTSE pushes higher as HSBC, Whitbread gain
(Sharecast News) - London stocks had extended gains by midday on Tuesday, helped along by solid performances from the likes of HSBC and Whitbread, as investors eyed the start of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting.
Asia report: Most markets rise as yen falls back
(Sharecast News) - Asian markets saw a mixed day of trading on Tuesday, as investors navigated between positive cues from Wall Street and cautious sentiment surrounding China's factory activity.
Asia report: Most markets rise as yen falls back
(Sharecast News) - Asian markets saw a mixed day of trading on Tuesday, as investors navigated between positive cues from Wall Street and cautious sentiment surrounding China's factory activity.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.