LIVE MARKETS-European bank stocks touch 18-year high, earnings and M&A in focus

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EUROPEAN BANK STOCKS TOUCH 18-YEAR HIGH, EARNINGS IN FOCUS

Europe's STOXX 600 .STOXX is up 0.2%, with banks leading the way, while miners cap any further gains and traders digest a few company earnings reports.

A basket of bank stocks is up 1%, touching a fresh 18-year high. Meanwhile basic resources stocks are the worst-off, dropping 1.2%.

Switzerland-based life sciences company Siegfried SFZN.S is topping the index, up 9% after announcing some acquisitions, and Germany's Puma PUMG.DE is next, up 4.5% after the sportswear maker sold a stake to China's Anta Sports.

On the flipside, Swedish medical equipment maker Getinge GETIb.ST is down 5.8% after reporting fourth-quarter core earnings below market expectations, impacted by U.S. import tariffs and unfavourable currency exchange rates.

In the UK, Dr Martens DOCS.L is the worst off, sinking 10% after reporting broadly flat annual revenue growth. British recruiter Sthree is doing better, rising 4% after annual profit beat estimates.

(Lucy Raitano)

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