In US markets, Major indicies rose as as better-than-forecast retail sales and corporate merger activity signaled confidence in the economy. Google Inc agreed to buy smart thermostat maker Nest Labs Inc for $3.2 billion. Charter Communications Inc offered to buy Time Warner Cable for $37.3 billion. A jump in Intel Corp shares supported the Nasdaq after JPMorgan upgraded the stock to "overweight" from "neutral."
On the European front, The Britishbenchmark rose due to gains inRWEafter a German federal court ruled in its favor. Financial stocks put downward pressure on the index after news of steep client outflows at mid-cap Ashmore. The upside in the indicies were capped as equities from the US to Asia declined amid concern over valuations.
Nikkei opened on a gap up note during morning session on the back of overnight gains in wall street on the back of better-than-forecast retail sales and corporate merger activity. A strengthening US dollar against Yen supported the rise in the Indicies further.