European stocks kicked off the second quarter slightly higher, with focus on a string of economic data points including inflation data from Germany that could provide clarity on the timing for interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank.
The continent-wide STOXX 600 (.STOXX), inched up 0.1% by 0853 GMT on Tuesday as investors returned to markets following an extended weekend and the Easter holiday.
Energy stocks (.SXPP), did the heavy lifting with a 1.9% rise as crude prices climbed on signs that demand may improve in China and the United States, and on growing concerns of a widening conflict in the Middle East that could affect supply from the region.
JPMorgan European Discovery Trust plc (LON:JEDT) is an investment trust company. The Investment Trust JEDT objective is to achieve capital growth from a portfolio of quoted smaller companies in Europe, excluding the United Kingdom.