European stock markets continued positive momentum in the final session of the week, after a slew of corporate earnings beat expectations.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.3% shortly after the open, with construction stocks up 1.1%. Utilities led losses, down 0.6%.
The index closed slightly higher on Thursday, picking it up from a two-week low.
Despite nerves over U.S. regional bank First Republic — which is seeking a recovery strategy after its stock plunged on news it lost around 40% of its deposits in the first quarter — European bank results have proven more reassuring.
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