BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The German market is trading higher on Friday, after reassuring comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine crisis influenced investor sentiment. Markets in Greece, Italy and Austria are closed for the Assumption Day holiday.
During a visit to the Crimea region, Putin claimed that Russia will do everything possible to end the conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists.
'We will do all we can to end the conflict as soon as possible, to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine,' Putin said in a meeting with members of State Duma political party groups.
On a day of light economic news from the region, the U.K. economy grew as initially estimated in the second quarter, second estimates from the Office for National Statistics showed.
Quarter-on-quarter, gross domestic product grew 0.8 percent, the same rate as seen in the first quarter, and in line with preliminary estimate. Meanwhile, the annual growth was revised up to 3.2 percent from 3.1 percent.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks is adding 0.68 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, is gaining 0.66 percent.
The DAX index is currently gaining 0.93 percent.
Lufthansa is gaining 2.4 percent amid reports that the German government is reviewing its aviation policy.
RWE and E.ON are rising 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
Basf and Henkel are rising 1.3 percent each.
HeidelbergCement is gaining 1.4 percent. The stock was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Hold' at Berenberg.
Optoelectronics firm Jenoptik is gaining 5 percent after a broker upgrade.
The Asian stocks ended higher following cues from Wall Street overnight. The Indian market was closed for the Independence Day holiday.
In the U.S., futures point to a higher open on Wall Street. In the previous session, the major averages continued to move higher going into the close, ending the session at their best levels of the day. The Dow, the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 advanced 0.4 percent each.
Crude for September delivery is gaining $0.02 to $95.56 per barrel, while gold is losing $0.7 to $1315.0 a troy ounce.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX