(MENAFN- AFP)European stock markets mostly rose Tuesday, with the energy sector lifted by rising oil prices, and ahead of this week's key interest rate decisions.
London's FTSE 100 index advanced 0.3 percent in late morning deals and the Paris CAC 40 index won 0.2 percent, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 turned flat.
Brent crude hit a more than two-year high, building on a surge on Monday that came on news that the Forties pipeline in the North Sea has been shut down for a few weeks after it was found to be leaking.
That has energised the oil sector because rising oil prices tend to translate into bumper profits and revenues.
In London, Anglo-Dutch energy giant Royal Dutch Shell's 'A' shares jumped 1.6 percent to 2,422.50 pence and British rival BP gained 1.5 percent to 506.40 pence.
French oil and gas titan Total saw its share price rally 1.4 percent to 47.75 euros in Paris
Focus this week, meanwhile, is also on the latest monetary policy meetings of central banks in the United States, Britain and the eurozone.
On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve unveils its latest decision, followed on Thursday by both the Bank of England (BoE) and the European Central Bank.
"European markets are trading in positive territory, with oil stocks particularly buoyant after the shutdown of the Forties Pipeline sent Brent crude oil to a 30-month high," said Rebecca O'Keeffe, head of investment at online stockbroker Interactive Investor.
"With all eyes on central banks this week, investors will be hoping that (ECB chief) Mario Draghi will remain the benevolent Santa Claus for markets and not turn into Scrooge," she told MENAFN- AFP.
Despite UK annual inflation hitting a near six-year high in November, according to official data Tuesday, the BoE was expected to keep rates on hold at its meeting this week.
Asian markets mostly fell Tuesday after a recent rally as investors cashed in while also looking ahead to key central bank meetings that could provide some idea about monetary policy in the new year.
Wall Street provided yet another record-breaking lead as the selling that hit equities at the start of the month abates, while US energy firms were also supported by stronger oil prices.
The week kicked off on a high following forecast-busting jobs data from the US on Friday, which reinforced the view that the world's top economy is in rude health.
- Asia cashes out -
But dealers in Asia cashed out on Tuesday, with analysts also pointing to thinning volumes towards the end of the year.
Tokyo's Nikkei ended down 0.3 percent, while Shanghai sank more than one percent by the close and Hong Kong was off 0.6 percent.
Bitcoin futures for January ended at $18,850.00 as the cryptocurrency launched in a major exchange Sunday, well above its $15,000 initial price on the Chicago board options exchange (Cboe).
The Cboe launch marked the first opportunity for professional traders to invest in the digital unit on a traditional platform and is expected to be followed in a week by a rival listing on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
The spot price for Bitcoin quoted by Bloomberg -- which is lower than the Cboe -- rose slightly Tuesday, sitting at $16,930.
- Key figures around 1120 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,474.82 points
Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.2 percent at 5,397.80
Frankfurt - DAX 30: FLAT at 13,126.30
EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.1 percent at 3,585.75
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.3 percent at 22,866.17 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.6 percent at 28,793.88 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 1.3 percent at 3,280.81 (close)
New York - DOW: UP 0.2 percent at 24,386.03 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1783 from $1.1769 at 2200 GMT
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3326 from $1.3340
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 113.45 yen from 113.56 yen
Oil - Brent North Sea: UP 59 cents at $65.28 per barrel
Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP 34 cents at $58.33
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