Energy surge fuels European market gains amid mixed economic data
(Reuters) -European shares closed higher on Tuesday, buoyed by gains in the energy sector, while investors digested a slew of economic data that painted a mixed picture of the region's economic health. Europe's premier index closed up 0.3% at 513.08 points, a level not seen in three weeks, as traders speculated on the implications of rising inflation and looming interest rate decisions. While the consensus remains that the European Central Bank is likely to proceed with interest rate cuts in January, in the markets the rate-sensitive real estate sector dropped 0.6%.
