Stock indices increased due to the better-than-expected U.S. durable goods orders. U.S. durable goods orders rose 0.8% in April, after a 2.9% gain in March. March’s figure was revised up to 2.9% from 2.6%. April’s increase of durable goods orders was driven by demand for defence goods

The consumer confidence index in the U.S. climbed to 83.0 in May, from 81.7 in April. April’s figure was revised down from 82.3.

The European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said at the conference in Sintra on Tuesday the ECB is aware of risks from low inflation. He added that the ECB had the tools to get inflation in the Eurozone back close to 2%. His comments have fanned expectations for further stimulus measures by the ECB in June.

Aveva Group Plc shares increased 9.1% after reporting the better-than-expected annual profit.

InterContinental Hotels Group Plc shares climbed 3.7% after the company rejected a takeover bid.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,844.94                           +29.19                      +0.43%

DAX                                     9,940.82                            +48.00                      +0.49%

CAC 40                                4,529.75                               +2.82                      +0.06%

U.S. stock futures advanced as an unexpected rise in durable goods orders boosted optimism in the world’s largest economy.

Global markets:

FTSE 6,846.6 +30.85 +0.45%

CAC 4,525.1 -1.83 -0.04%

DAX 9,926.65 +33.83 +0.34%

Nikkei 14,636.52 +34.00 +0.23%

Hang Seng 22,944.3 -18.88 -0.08%

Shanghai Composite 2,034.57 -6.91 -0.34%

Crude oil $104.30 (-0.05%)

Gold $1276.60 (-1.19%)

Upgrades:

Cisco Systems (CSCO) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank; tgt raised to $30 from $25

Downgrades:

Other:

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Most stock indices traded higher ahead of U.S. economic data and the speech of the European Central Bank President Mario Draghi.

U.K. mortgage approvals climbed by 42,200 in April, missing expectations for a 45,200 gain. March’s figure was revised down to a 45,000 rise from a previously estimated 45,900 increase.

Aveva Group Plc shares increased 12.0% after reporting the better-than-expected annual profit.

InterContinental Hotels Group Plc shares climbed 5.2% after the company rejected a takeover bid.

Current figures:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,849.09                           +37.01                      +0.37%

DAX                                     9,929.83                            +91.38                      +0.94%

CAC 40                                4,525.93                               -1.00                      -0.02%

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Asian stock indices were exhibiting a mixed trend due to growing geopolitical tensions between China and Vietnam. Vietnam's coastguard accused China of sinking one of its fishing vessels in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The corporate services price index in Japan climbed 3.4% in April, from 0.7% in March. Analysts had expected a 3.3% increase.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225                       14,636.52              +34.35        +0.23%

Hang Seng                        22,944.3               -18.88         -0.08%

Shanghai Composite          2,034.57                 -6.91         -0.34%

Nikkei 14,602.52 +140.35 +0.97%

Hang Seng 22,963.18 -2.68 -0.01%

Shanghai Composite 2,041.48 +6.91 +0.34%

S&P 1,900.53 +8.04 +0.42%

NASDAQ 4,185.81 +31.47 +0.76%

Dow 16,606.27 +63.19 +0.38%

FTSE 1,376.44 +7.27 +0.53%

CAC 4,526.93 +33.78 +0.75%

DAX 9,892.82 +124.81 +1.28%