European markets were higher Wednesday after Tuesday’s losses.
The FTSE Eurofirst 300 was up 0.47 percent to 1,497.28.
In Frankfurt, the Dax gained 0.12 percent to 7,439.18.
Madrid’s IBEX added 0.42 percent to 14,183.6, while the CAC-40 was up 0.84 percent to 5,520.02 in Paris.
Hotels operator Accor (Euronext: AC) was the best performer on the CAC-40, adding 5.86 percent to €62.91 on first half profits that were more than double and on the announcement of a stock buyback worth €500 million.
Airline Lufthansa had the best day on the Dax, gaining 3.29 percent to €21.28. Retailers saw gains.
German retailer Metro (FWB: MEO) was up 2.9 percent to €61.36, while Carrefour (Euronext: CA) added 3.39 percent to €52.14. The car and truck manufacturing sector was mixed.
In Paris, Peugeot (Euronext: UG; OTC; PEUGY) dropped 0.34 percent to €60.70 and Renault (Euronext: RNO) was the worst performer on the CAC-40 as it fell 2.34 percent to €97 after its CEO said that “unprecedented” growth would be needed if it is to meet its goals for 2009.
In Germany, however, Daimler Chrysler (FWB: DCX; NYSE: DCX; TYO: 7663) was up 0.9 percent to €63.26 after it raised its profits forecast and announced a stock buyback that could be worth as much as €7.5 billion.
Truck maker Man (FWB: EDF1) was 1.16 percent higher to €101.45.
Utilities declined on the session, with EDF (Euronext: EEN) 0.05 percent lower to €73.90 and Eon (FWB: EOA; LSE: EON; NYSE: EON) down 0.54 percent to €118.60.