European stocks rise on defense shares

European markets opened higher on Friday, with defense stocks posting strong gains after regional leaders held security talks to discuss increased military spending.

The broader Stoxx 600 index rose 0.39% to 559.37 points, while Germany’s DAX rose 0.69% to 22,703.21 points.

The UK’s FTSE 100 index rose 0.39% to 8,844.24 points, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.44% to 8,147.11 points.

Euroapi and Bunzl are due to release earnings, while investors are looking ahead to preliminary eurozone inflation data for February, which comes ahead of the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision on Thursday.