European stocks climbed on Wednesday, mirroring gains elsewhere, with sentiment buoyed by reports of Chinese stimulus, ahead of a US interest rate call and on the eve of Scotland's independence referendum.
Shortly after midday in the British capital, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index added 0.22 percent to 6,807.27 points as traders looked ahead to Scotland's independence vote.
In Paris, the CAC 40 index gained 0.72 percent to stand at 4,440.81, with the market bolstered after the French government won a confidence vote over its economic reforms.
Frankfurt's DAX 30 advanced 0.48 percent to 9,678.86 points compared with Tuesday's closing level.
"Liquidity moves by the Chinese central bank and dovish noises regarding the Fed meeting have seen markets make tentative gains," said analyst Chris Beauchamp at trading firm IG.
China stimulus boost
Asian equities mostly rose, with Hong Kong and Shanghai lifted by a report that China's central bank had pumped $81 billion into the country's five biggest lenders, while traders awaited the Fed's monetary policy decision.
Wall Street stocks posted solid gains overnight following reports of the new Chinese stimulus plan on the eve of the Fed announcement.
"Last night's US session saw the Dow finish at a new all-time closing high, with a fresh intraday high to boot, and the positive momentum has been carried across in London," said Beauchamp.
"Added to this was news last night that the 'No' campaign still has the advantage -- albeit a small one -- over its rivals."
Campaigners for, and against, Scottish independence scrambled for votes on Wednesday on the eve of a knife-edge referendum that could see Scotland break away from the United Kingdom.
Three new opinion polls published in Wednesday's papers all suggested a very narrow majority supporting staying in the UK but also showed that undecided people could swing it either way.
Global equities won support from a report on web portal Sina, which said the People's Bank of China would inject 500 billion yuan ($81 billion) into the five top state-owned banks, with a view to boosting lending to businesses.
The move would be a major stimulus injection following a string of weak data -- including on trade and industrial output -- that has raised questions about the state of the world's number two economy.
The injection, a three-month low-interest rate loan, is similar to a 0.5 percentage point cut to the ratio of cash China's entire banking system must keep in reserve, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
In reaction, Shanghai stocks rose 0.49 percent, Hong Kong jumped 1.00 percent and Seoul advanced 0.96, but Tokyo fell 0.14 percent.
Focus turns to Fed
Investors globally have meanwhile been pulling their cash off the table recently on speculation the Federal Reserve will bring forward its timetable for raising interest rates as the US economy picks up speed.
The Fed has previously said it would keep rates low for a "considerable time" after ending its massive stimulus programme.
There are still concerns about the US economy among many investors, with some suggesting the bank will stick to its cautious approach.
Back in Britain however, attention was squarely focused on Scotland's looming referendum.
The pound had last week slumped to 10-month dollar low and three-month euro troughs on fears over the impact of possible Scottish independence.
In Wednesday deals, the pound rose to $1.6296 from $1.6268 late in New York on Tuesday.
The euro retreated to 79.52 pence from 79.64 pence.
The European single currency edged up to $1.2959 from $1.2957 on Tuesday.
On the London Bullion Market, gold gained to $1,236.15 an ounce from $1,232.25.
AFP
Wed Sep 17 2014
![European stocks rise before Fed, Scotland vote European stocks rise before Fed, Scotland vote](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-06/81370689781_295x200.jpg)
Filepic of stock market
![Pheu Thai calonkan anak perempuan Thaksin sebagai calon PM Pheu Thai calonkan anak perempuan Thaksin sebagai calon PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723722582_TBPaetongtarnShinaw.jpg)
Pheu Thai calonkan anak perempuan Thaksin sebagai calon PM
Paetongtarn yang berusia 37 tahun adalah anak perempuan kepada jutawan yang juga bekas Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Penari MSS teruja sambut ketibaan kontinjen SUKMA 2024
Kehangatan temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Sarawak 2024 mula dirasai di pintu masuk wilayah itu apabila suasana balai ketibaan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching (LTAK) bergema dengan alunan seribu rentak.
Fokus pengantarabangsaan produk tempatan ke 4 negara - Armizan
Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali berkata bagi tujuan pengantarabangsaan barangan Malaysia, empat negara menjadi fokus pada tahun ini iaitu Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE), Thailand, Jepun dan China.
Jenazah Muhammad Nidza selamat dikebumikan
Jenazah Muhammad Nidza selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Puncak Alam, Kuala Selangor.
Kematian Nidza Afham tiada unsur jenayah, kes diklasifikasikan SDR
Bedah siasat yang dijalankan ke atas Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar tidak menemukan sebarang unsur jenayah.
AWANI Borneo [15/08/2024] – Jaga integrity | Persaingan sihat | SUKMA 2024
Tumpuan Awani Borneo 15 Ogos 2024 bersama Nickyson Nyambar;
1. Hajiji ingatkan pegawai daerah jaga integriti, mudahkan urusan rakyat
2. KPDN pelawa pasar raya besar buka cawangan di Sabah, Labuan
3. SUKMA 2024: Premier bakal umum insentif untuk atlet Sarawak berjaya raih pingat
1. Hajiji ingatkan pegawai daerah jaga integriti, mudahkan urusan rakyat
2. KPDN pelawa pasar raya besar buka cawangan di Sabah, Labuan
3. SUKMA 2024: Premier bakal umum insentif untuk atlet Sarawak berjaya raih pingat
[TERKINI] Belasungkawa: Jenazah Allahyarham Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan
Ikuti siaran perjalanan terakhir jenazah Allahyarham Nidza Afham di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Felda Bukit Cherakah, Puncak Alam, Selangor.
SUKMA 2024: Kesemua venue bagi 488 acara sedia digunakan
Kerja penaiktarafan tiga lokasi iaitu padang memanah, gelanggang hoki serta trek bmx yang belum siap sepenuhnya tidak menjejaskan pelaksanaan acara sukan berkenaan kerana ia hanya melibatkan fasiliti tandas yang diganti menggunakan tandas mudah alih, selain landskap trek.
KPDN pelawa Lotus’s, pasar raya besar buka cawangan di Sabah, Labuan
Mengambil contoh harga ayam di Lotus’s Malaysia, Armizan berkata rangkaian pasar raya itu konsisten menawarkan harga berpatutan serendah RM6.99 sekilogram berbanding harga ayam yang tinggi di wilayah tersebut.
Hajiji ingatkan pegawai daerah jaga integriti, mudahkan urusan rakyat
Hajiji berkata beliau telah menerima banyak aduan daripada rakyat dan laporan tentang isu integriti serta ketelusan melibatkan Pegawai Daerah dan Penolong Pegawai Daerah, termasuk ada antara mereka melengah-lengahkan urusan yang mempunyai kepentingan untuk rakyat.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Sheikh Hasina akan tinggal di India sehingga peroleh suaka di Britain - Laporan Sheikh Hasina akan tinggal di India sehingga peroleh suaka di Britain - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721695161_SheikhHasina.jpg)
Sheikh Hasina akan tinggal di India sehingga peroleh suaka di Britain - Laporan
Sheikh Hasina yang melarikan diri dari negaranya dijangka tinggal di India sehingga Britain memberinya suaka.
![India dan Britain lancar inisiatif keselamatan teknologi India dan Britain lancar inisiatif keselamatan teknologi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721878547_DAVIDLAMMY.jpg)
India dan Britain lancar inisiatif keselamatan teknologi
Ia merangkumi bidang seperti telekomunikasi, kecerdasan buatan, kuantum, kesihatan dan bioteknologi, bahan termaju dan semikonduktor.
![Rishi Sunak akui kekalahan, ucap tahniah kepada Keir Starmer Rishi Sunak akui kekalahan, ucap tahniah kepada Keir Starmer](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720156983_RishiSunak.jpg)
Rishi Sunak akui kekalahan, ucap tahniah kepada Keir Starmer
Perdana Menteri Britain, Rishi Sunak, mengakui berdepan kekalahan dalam pilihan raya Britain dan menyatakan bahawa Parti Buruh pembangkang telah menang pada Jumaat.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Charles bangga keberanian Kate dedah rawatan kanser Charles bangga keberanian Kate dedah rawatan kanser](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71711145796_KingCharles.jpg)
Charles bangga keberanian Kate dedah rawatan kanser
Charles sangat bangga dengan Kate dan telah terus berhubung rapat dengan menantu kesayangannya itu selama beberapa minggu kebelakangan ini.
![Kate Middleton sahkan hidap kanser Kate Middleton sahkan hidap kanser](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/51711145339_PrincessofWales.jpg)
Kate Middleton sahkan hidap kanser
Isteri pewaris takhta Putera William itu menyifatkan penemuan kanser itu sebagai "satu kejutan besar".
![Raja Charles III terharu terima ribuan kad, titip ucapan dan doa Raja Charles III terharu terima ribuan kad, titip ucapan dan doa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/41708738320_BritainsKingCharl.jpg)
Raja Charles III terharu terima ribuan kad, titip ucapan dan doa
Istana Buckingham mengeluarkan gambar baginda yang kelihatan terhibur dan terharu membaca nota yang ditulis pada kad-kad ucapan.
![Britain, Finland pula tangguh biaya UNRWA susulan dakwaan Israel Britain, Finland pula tangguh biaya UNRWA susulan dakwaan Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/81704782823_Palestinians.jpg)
Britain, Finland pula tangguh biaya UNRWA susulan dakwaan Israel
Britain dan Finland telah menyertai negara-negara lain dalam menangguhkan pembiayaan kepada UNRWA.
![Britain dakwa serangan ke atas Houthi tiada kaitan konflik di Gaza - PM Rishi Sunak Britain dakwa serangan ke atas Houthi tiada kaitan konflik di Gaza - PM Rishi Sunak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61705367147_UKPrimeMinisterRi.jpg)
Britain dakwa serangan ke atas Houthi tiada kaitan konflik di Gaza - PM Rishi Sunak
Serangan itu adalah tindakan mempertahankan diri dan disasarkan dengan berhati-hati, kata Rishi Sunak.