European markets cautiously higher as sentiment buoyed by China data
European markets opened higher Tuesday, following a positive lead set in Asia after Chinese manufacturing data rebounded in March.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed 1% at the start of trading, with travel and leisure stocks adding 2% to lead gains as all sectors and major bourses entered positive territory.
European stocks reacted positively to data out Tuesday showing that China's official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for March came in better than some analysts expected.
China said its official manufacturing PMI for March came in at 52.0, indicating an expansion and defying expectations of a contraction. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected the figure to come in at 45 for the month. PMI readings below 50 signify a contraction, while figures above that level indicate an expansion. Mainland Chinese stocks were higher by Tuesday afternoon in Asia following the data.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus continues to dominate global market sentiment and governments. The World Health Organization says there are now more than 782,000 global cases and at least 37,000 people have died. The U.S. has the highest number of cases, at over 164,000, followed by Italy, Spain, China and Germany. Follow CNBC's live blog for the latest coronavirus news.
In other news, U.S. oil prices dropped to an 18-year low on Monday as demand continues to evaporate amid coronavirus lockdowns, and as Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ nations prepare to ramp up production. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 6.6%, or $1.42, to settle at $20.09 a barrel, its lowest level since February 2002.
Spanish fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data and German unemployment data for March are due Tuesday. There are no major earnings expected.