European markets are all higher at the moment after starting the day either side of unchanged. Stocks moved higher on takeovers and speculation a planned Australian mining tax will be dropped.  Growth in Europe’s services and manufacturing industries weakened more than economists forecast in August, signaling the pace of the recovery has peaked.  Volume remains light and we have seen long only accounts moving towards Healthcare, Telecommunications and Utilities.

CAC 40      +.97%
FTSE 100    +.89%

DAX           +.55%