European shares end higher on China data cheer, travel stocks lead gains

By Shreyashi Sanyal

(Reuters) - European shares closed higher on Tuesday as travel and leisure stocks led the advance on positive earnings, while better-than-expected economic data from China boosted demand prospects and lifted shares of miners and luxury firms.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index ended 0.4% higher, holding at more than one-year highs. The travel and leisure sector index was the top gainer, rising 2.1% to its highest level since November 2021.

Ladbrokes-owner Entain Plc jumped 7.2%, to the top of the travel sector index, on posting higher quarterly net gaming revenues.

British airline easyJet Plc added 1.6% as the airline said it expects full-year profit to beat market forecasts.

First quarter earnings for STOXX 600 companies are expected to decrease 2.5% year-over-year, according to Refinitiv data. About four STOXX 600 companies have reported earnings through Tuesday, of which, 75% beat earnings estimates.

China-exposed European miners rose 1.4%, while luxury stocks, including LVMH, Pernod Ricard and Hermes International added between 0.5% and 1.6%.

Data showed China's economy grew 4.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, as policymakers moved to bolster growth following the end of strict COVID-19 curbs in December.

"A lot of the good news is reflected in the price already, so going forward, the question will be how sustainable is the China reopening story, which we think it will be at least for this year," said Janet Mui, head of market analysis at RBC Brewin Dolphin.

Bank stocks, recovered most of the previous day's declines to end 1.3% higher.

After a rough month, sentiment around lenders has improved amid easing worries about the banking system, signs of cooling inflation and generally hawkish commentary from European Central Bank policymakers.

The banks index is up 5.4% so far in April, after falling 14% in March. The STOXX 600 has managed to gain 10% this year, compared with the S&P 500 index's 7.5% gain.

Goldman Sachs raised its terminal rate forecast for the ECB to 3.75% from 3.5%, but remained on the fence about whether the central bank will raise by 25 basis points (bps) or 50 bps in May.

Danish hearing aid maker Demant jumped 10.2% to the top of the STOXX 600, after raising its financial guidance for 2023.

Germany's ZEW survey showed investor sentiment unexpectedly fell in April as financial markets see more restrictive credit conditions in the coming months.

(Reporting by Shreyashi Sanyal and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Shubham Batra; Editing by Varun H K and Jonathan Oatis)