European stocks opened today with collective gains as a range of data is being awaited.

European stock indices collectively rose during trading on Friday amid investor anticipation for the release of purchasing managers’ index data for the services and manufacturing sectors of the region.

This comes after data showed that the German economy grew less than initial estimates, with the German GDP expanding by 0.1% in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter, although this represents a better start for the second half of the year.

In the United Kingdom, the pound fell to its lowest level in six months against the US dollar after data showed a contraction in retail sales by 0.7% in October, which was much lower than the market expectations of a 0.3% decline.

European stock indices opened today as follows:

• The EURO STOXX 600 index rose by 0.66% at around 505.88 points, after breaking a four-session losing streak to close up by about 0.5% yesterday.
• The German DAX index increased by 0.51% to record 19,243.12 points.
• The FTSE 100 index climbed by 0.61% to reach 8,198.67 points.
• The French CAC index rose by 0.39% to 7,241.45 points.
• The Spanish IBEX index added 0.30%, recording 11,646.31 points.
• The Italian FTSE MIB index rose by 0.42% to 33,432.41 points.