The Stoxx Europe 600 index SXXP, +0.25% rose 0.2% to 376.12, setting it on track to break a two-session losing run. The benchmark index on Friday closed out October with an 8% advance, its best monthly performance since July 2009.
Stocks across Europe opened in negative territory on Monday after a private gauge of China’s manufacturing activity, the Caixin China manufacturing purchasing managers index, showed the sector contracted for an eighth straight month in October. The official reading on the country’s factory activity also indicated a contraction, sending stock markets lower across most of Asia.
Uncertainty over China’s growth outlook dented investment sentiment over the summer, triggering a market rout, particularly in emerging markets, and fueling concerns over the impact on global demand.
But the PMI reading for the eurozone was more uplifting, helping European stock markets turn higher in midmorning trade. The final reading on eurozone manufacturing PMI came in at 52.3 in October, up from the flash estimate of 52 and up from September’s 52 print.
France’s CAC 40 index PX1, +0.20% gained 0.2% to 4,907.33, and Germany’s DAX 30 index DAX, +0.53% rose 0.5% to 10,903.60. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index UKX, -0.33% dropped 0.3% to 6,339.77.
Banks in focus: Banks posted some of the biggest moves in Europe on Monday after a series of earnings results. HSBC Holdings PLC HSBA, -1.69% HSBC, -0.41%0005, -1.15% fell 1.5% after the U.K. bank said adjusted revenue fell 4% in the third quarter. The bank, however, reported a 53% jump in profit, reflecting lower fines, among other things.
Shares of Commerzbank AG CBK, +4.97% jumped 5.9% after the German lender said its turnaround plan is on track. The bank’s Chief Executive Martin Blessing announced on Sunday he will step down next year.
Airlines: Air carriers were mostly lower after the crash of a Russian passenger jet in the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday. Shares of Deutsche Lufthansa AG LHA, -0.04% dropped 0.8%, Air France-KLM AF, -1.06% fell 0.9%, and easyJet PLC EZJ, -2.80% slid 2.3%.
Ryanair Holdings PLC RY4C, -0.74% fell 1.3%, shaking off a solid earnings report.
Other movers: Swedish appliance maker Electrolux AB ELUXB, -6.51% slumped 6.3% after the U.S. government challenged the company’s planned takeover of General Electric Co.’s GE, -1.43% home-appliance business.
Turkish election: The Turkish lira USDTRY, -3.8695% rallied against the dollar in early Monday trade after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political party staged a comeback in Sunday’s election. The dollar bought 2.8093 lira, down from 2.9151 on Friday.
see more at : -
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/european-stocks-edge-higher-after-pmis-beat-views-2015-11-02