LIVE MARKETS-Defence, German stocks charge ahead

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DEFENCE, GERMAN STOCKS CHARGE AHEAD

No fireworks at the open in Europe on Wednesday ahead of Nvidia results later on, but continued strength in German and defence stocks helped keep the STOXX 600 a touch in the black.

The region-wide index .STOXX edged 0.1% higher, while in Frankfurt, the DAX .GDAXI blue chip benchmark rose 0.3% to a new lifetime peak and the MDAX .MDAXI of medium sized companies hit its highest since April 2022, last up 0.4%.

With no end in sight for the over 3-year long war between Ukraine and Russia, defence plays continued their rally. Hensoldt HAGG.DE and RENK R3NK.DE topped the STOXX 600, while pushing a broader aerospace & defence .SXPARO gauge up over 1% to a new record. Healthcare and materials were a drag.

Here is your opening snapshot:

(Danilo Masoni)

EARLIER ON LIVER MARKETS:

BEFORE THE BELL: EUROPEAN FUTURES DIP, STELLANTIS PICKS CEO CLICK HERE

NVIDIA EARNINGS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT CLICK HERE