European stocks close at highest level in two months

European stock indices rose at the end of trading on Wednesday, as markets absorbed the minutes of the last meeting of the US Federal Reserve and a set of financial data in the United Kingdom.

According to Reuters, the Stoxx 600 index closed 0.3% higher after two lackluster sessions. Most sectors traded moderately higher, with travel and entertainment stocks rising 1.5%, while oil and gas stocks fell 1.7%.

Software group Sage led stock gains, rising 13%, after announcing a strong rise in operating profits and announcing a share buyback program worth 350 million pounds ($438.5 million).

In the fall statement, British Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt announced a tax cut that will affect 27 million workers, along with changes to benefits programs, business tax breaks, investment in artificial intelligence and manufacturing, and an increase in the minimum wage.

It should be noted that the minutes of the Federal Reserve meeting yesterday, Tuesday, revealed that Fed officials stressed that monetary policy must be restrictive and that they have little desire to lower interest rates.