BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European markets were stuck in a narrow range throughout Thursday's session, but managed to log slight increases. The markets extended their winning streak to six straight days. Bank stocks were among the top gainers of the session on expectations for interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. Retailers were also in focus, following the disappointing results reported by H&M.
The Bank of Spain warned on Thursday that the political tensions surrounding the referendum being held for Catalonia's independence could hurt economic activity.
Catalonia is set to hold the referendum on October 1.
'Regarding the risks to the growth forecasts, political tensions in Catalonia could possibly affect confidence, spending decisions and financing conditions,' the bank said in its quarterly report.
The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced 0.13 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks increased 0.23 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.03 percent.
The DAX of Germany climbed 0.37 percent and the CAC 40 of France rose 0.22 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. gained 0.13 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished higher by 0.15 percent.
In Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank advanced 2.39 percent.
In London, Barclays climbed 0.97 percent and Standard Chartered added 1.03 percent.
Ryanair lost 4.32 percent as the airline faces legal action for 'persistently misleading' passengers about their rights following the wave of flight cancellations because of a shortage of pilots.
Imperial Brands fell 4.11 percent after reports that it is in talks to help save struggling wholesaler Palmer & Harvey Holdings.
TUI dropped 0.24 percent after the travel company said trading since its last update has remained in line with the Group's expectations.
Hennes & Mauritz sank 5.08 percent in Stockholm after the retailer posted weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings.
Eurozone economic confidence strengthened in September, survey data from the European Commission showed Thursday. The economic sentiment index rose to 113.0 in September from 111.9 in August. The reading was also above the expected 112.
German consumer confidence is set to weaken in October, survey data from the market research group GfK showed Thursday. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index fell unexpectedly to 10.8 from 10.9 in September. The score was forecast to rise to 11.0.
Germany's inflation remained unchanged at its highest level in four months in September, preliminary data from Destatis showed Thursday. The consumer price index rose 1.8 percent year-on-year, same as in August, and in line with economists' expectations.
Economic activity in the U.S. increased by slightly more than previously estimated in the second quarter, the Commerce Department revealed in a report on Thursday.
The report said gross domestic product jumped by 3.1 percent in the second quarter compared to the previously estimated 3.0 percent growth. Economists had expected the pace of GDP growth to be unrevised.
After reporting unexpected decreases in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the two previous weeks, the Labor Department released a report on Thursday showing a rebound in initial jobless claims in the week ended September 23rd.
The report said initial jobless claims rose to 272,000, an increase of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level of 260,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 270,000 from the 259,000 originally reported for the previous week.
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