European stocks rise supported by strong earnings

European stocks opened higher on Friday, thanks to a strong performance in healthcare stocks and video game group Ubisoft after announcing its quarterly results, but gains were limited by a rise in government bond yields as traders’ bets on lowering interest rates receded.

According to Reuters, by 0822 GMT, the European STOXX 600 index rose 0.1%.

Ubisoft shares jumped nearly 14% after the video game group announced net bookings slightly higher than its expectations.

Healthcare stocks led the gains, supported by a rise of more than nine percent for Danish medical equipment manufacturer Coloplast and German medical technology company Carl Zeiss Meditec after announcing first-quarter business results.