(RTTNews.com) – The European markets got off to a positive start Tuesday, thanks to some encouraging Chinese manufacturing data. However, the markets pared their gains and slipped into the red following the weak opening on Wall Street. China’s manufacturing sector growth improved strongly at the start of the fourth quarter as output expanded at the fastest rate in over five-and-a-half years in October.
The seasonally adjusted Caixin factory Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 51.2 in October from 50.1 in September, survey data from IHS Markit showed Tuesday. The score was expected to remain at 50.1.
At the same time, the official manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 in October from 50.4 in September, the National Bureau of Statistics reported. Similarly, the non-manufacturing PMI improved to 54.0 from 53.7 in September.
Bank of England governor Mark Carney
has extended his term by a year to 2019, in order to guide Britain after its exit from the European Union.
In a letter to the Chancellor, the Governor said he would extend his term to the end of June 2019.
“I would be honored to extend my time of service as Governor for an additional year to the end of June 2019. By taking my term in office beyond the expected period of the Article 50 process, this should help contribute to securing an orderly transition to the UK’s new relationship with Europe,” Carney said.
“I look forward to continuing to promote the good of the people of the United Kingdom during this crucial time for the country,” he added.
The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index weakened by 1.16 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks decreased 1.05 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 1.11 percent.
The DAX of Germany dropped 1.30 percent and the CAC 40 of France fell 0.86 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. declined 0.53 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished lower by 0.85 percent.
In Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank declined 4.07 percent and Commerzbank slipped 1.66 percent.
In Paris, Total decreased 1.02 percent and Technip fell 1.44 percent.
In London, Royal Dutch Shell climbed 3.53 percent after the oil firm swung to a third-quarter profit and announced an interim dividend.
Rival BP Plc fell 4.48 percent. The company’s third-quarter profit nearly halved amid a slump in oil prices.
Shire dropped 2.63 percent after its third-quarter non GAAP earnings per ADS decreased 2% to $ 3.17 from $ 3.24, last year. Expectations had been for a profit per share of $ 3.21.
Weir Group surrendered 2.35 percent after it warned that it now expects full-year 2016 profits to be slightly lower than current market expectations.
Standard Chartered weakened by 5.42 percent. The company reported third quarter statutory profit before taxation to $ 153 billion, down from $ 430 million last year. While operating income slightly declined to $ 3.465 billion from $ 3.682 billion a year ago.
Mining stocks turned in a strong performance following the release of the Chinese manufacturing data. Polymetal International jumped 5.33 percent and Fresnillo advanced 4.76 percent. Antofagasta climbed 1.84 percent and Randgold Resources gained 2.14 percent.
Novartis fell 0.78 percent in Zurich after the U.S. FDA granted priority review status for its drug LEE011 (ribociclib) used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
Syngenta declined 0.43 percent after ChemChina extended its $ 43 billion cash offer for the Swiss agrichemicals group to Jan. 5.
U.K. manufacturing sector expanded at a slower-than-expected pace in October, despite a weak currency-driven improvement in export orders, survey data from IHS Markit showed Tuesday. The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply/Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 54.3 in October from 55.5 in September. The expected score was 54.5.
Swiss retail sales increased for the first time in nine months during September, preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office showed Tuesday. Retail sales rose a calendar-adjusted 0.2 percent in September, marking the first increase since December, when they grew 0.7 percent.
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Plantations International