Europe: Equities open higher

EUROPE’S stock markets edged higher in opening deals on Friday (Nov 18) ahead of the weekend.

London’s FTSE 100 index rose 0.2 per cent to 7,364.21 points, a day after slipping on the back of a harsh UK budget.

Stocks were partly lifted by data showing that UK retail sales rose 0.6 per cent in October, rebounding from a 1.5-per cent slump in September.

In the eurozone, the Paris CAC 40 index added 0.5 per cent to 6,608.32 points and Frankfurt’s DAX won 0.3 per cent to 14,313.02.

Britain’s government on Thursday slashed spending and hiked taxes, despite admitting that the economy has plunged into recession. AFP