European stock markets closed above the zero mark

European stocks ended today's trading with a moderate increase, while writing the fourth consecutive session gains, which was due to the publication of corporate reports. Following July index rose by 3.9 percent, registering the largest monthly increase since February.

According to FactSet, among the companies in the index Stoxx Europe 600, which have already published their financial results for the 2nd quarter, 54% better than expected earnings. For comparison, in the 1st quarter, the figure was 50%.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters, from 53% of reported companies have justified the forecasts of analysts, or exceeded them. According to analysts, the profit of European companies rose by 5.7% compared with the 2nd quarter of 2014.

A little influenced by data on inflation and unemployment in the euro area. Inflation in the euro area remained stable at 0.2 percent in July. Inflation has remained in positive territory for the third consecutive month in July and figure corresponds to economists' expectations. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, accelerated to 1 percent from 0.8 percent. It is expected to remain at 0.8 percent.

Another report showed that the unemployment rate in the euro area remained unchanged in June, the lowest level since the beginning of 2012. The unemployment rate remained at 11.1 percent in June, unchanged from May. It was the lowest rate in the euro area in March 2012. The result coincided with the forecast of economists. The number of unemployed increased by 31,000 in May. Compared to June 2014 the number of unemployed fell by 811,000.

The focus was also on US statistics. Today it became known that at the end of the 2nd quarter of wage growth in the US slowed down as much as possible since the beginning of the study, while experts predicted that improvements in the labor market have a positive impact on the dynamics of wages. The growth in the 2nd quarter by 0.2% was the lowest since 1982. In the 1st quarter figure stood at around 0.7%. Economists had expected an increase of 0.6%. Fed monitors data on wage growth closer to raising interest rates to a level close to zero, at which they are to the end of 2008. Accelerating wage growth will signal that the labor market is finally approached the health of six years after the recession, and could push the Fed to the earlier increase in interest rates to avoid overheating the economy. However, the recent slowdown indicates that the labor market is maintained below capacity, which could cause the Fed to wait before raising interest rates.

FTSE 100 6,696.28 +27.41 + 0.41% CAC 40 5,082.61 +36.19 + 0.72% DAX 11,308.99 +51.84 + 0.46%

Sensor energy stocks recorded the largest decline among the 19 industry groups, losing 0.9%. Meanwhile, the sensor shares of mining companies fell by 0.5%. The cost of Vallourec SA fell 6.7% after the steel company expressed concern about the prospects for the remainder of the year. Shares of ArcelorMittal rose 1.4%. The net profit of the largest steel company in the world has more than tripled - to $ 179 million from $ 52 million a year earlier.

Shares of Banco Popular SA fell 2% after reports that net interest income has decreased compared to last year.

Shares of BNP Paribas SA rose by 3%, as the largest bank in France recorded the highest quarterly profit in more than three years.

Capitalization of Antofagasta Plc fell 2.2% after agreeing the purchase of 50 percent stake in Barrick Gold Corp.

At the same time, the share price of British hotel chain InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) fell 1.4% after it denied the information to the media about the negotiations concerning the merger with the American Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

The cost of ITV Plc rose 3.2%, as Liberty Global Plc increased its stake in the British broadcaster to 9.9%