Deutsche Börse

European stocks opened higher as global markets focused on the vote count after the U.S. presidential election.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.58% shortly after the start of trading, with regional bourses and sectoral indices broadly higher. Media stocks gained 2%, while utilities fell 1.66%. Currently, the pan-European index is up 1.14% at 515.35 points.

European stocks added to their gains Thursday, encouraged by data on US retail sales in July, which fended off worries about a recession in the world's largest economy. 

The pan-European STOXX 600 index gained 1.15%, a near-15-day high, reversing its downward trend.

European stocks opened trading lower as investors in the region weighed political uncertainty in France following Sunday’s election result.

Shares in London rose today after Labour’s sweeping victory in the general election, creating a sense of stability for investors who expect it to end years of market volatility.

The blue-chips FTSE 100 index rose 0.3 percent after posting its best daily performance in nearly two months yesterday, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index was up 0.2 percent at 10:05 a.m. GMT.

European stock markets are under new sales pressure, with US stock futures declining in view of indications of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

European stocks suffered a sharp sell-off at the open on Monday, tracking big drops in Asia as growing inflation expectations and rising bond yields took their toll on equity markets, reported Reuters. 

The European Union has blocked the large-scale merger of the London Stock Exchange with German Deutsche Boerse on the grounds of apprehensions about competition and Brexit.

"After the parties failed to propose the necessary measures for dealing with our apprehensions about competition, the EC decided to ban the merger," stated European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager.

The London Stock Exchange on Feb. 26 said it is "highly unlikely" it will be able to meet antitrust conditions set by Brussels for its tie-up with Deutsche Boerse, throwing the merger into doubt.

The announcement by LSE, which also operates the Milan stock exchange, is the latest twist in its longstanding attempt to merge with the German stock exchange operator.

Deutsche Boerse and the London Stock Exchange on March 16 agreed to press ahead with their planned merger to create one of the world's biggest exchanges, insisting the tie-up will succeed irrespective of the outcome of the looming "Brexit" vote on Britain's future in Europe.

The London Stock Exchange Group said a potential merger with Deutsche Boerse would be "compelling" as potential rival bidders line-up for the British company which reported a jump in profits on March 4.