Global Financial News: European Economic Activity Surges to a 6-Year High

European stocks traded mixed Tuesday, with futures prices pointing to an uncertain open on Wall Street, as investors continued to focus on mounting regional political risks amid stronger-than-expected economic data

Author:: Edward Hardy
Publish date:: Feb 21, 2017 5:52 AM EST

Round-up of the financial news from around the world:

1. European private sector economic activity surged to its fastest pace in nearly six years, according to data published Tuesday by IHS Markit, as factories in Germany fueled job creation and France's service sector boomed.

2. HSBC plc (HSBC) - Get Report shares fell sharply in London Monday after Europe's biggest bank posted much lower-than-expected full year earnings and increased its share buyback program Tuesday after taking a multi-billion dollar writedown on its European private banking assets.

3. InterContinental Hotels (IHG) - Get Report rose to an all-time high Tuesday after the Holiday Inn owner reported better-than-expected 2016 profits and boosted its dividend payment amid ongoing pressure from new entrants such as AirBnB.

4. BHP Billition plc (BHP) - Get Report posted stronger-than-expected first half earnings Tuesday and boosted its interim divided thanks to a surge in global commodity prices and an optimistic outlook for 2017.