Market Update
European markets rallied Tuesday as concerns over ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia subsided briefly.
The FTSE rose 1.2%. The CAC 40 Paris gained 1.3% while the German DAX was up 1%.
Sentiment improved on reports President Vladimir Putin had ordered troops conducting military drills near Ukraine's borders back to base after the exercises concluded.
Also helping markets, data showed the number of unemployed people in Spain declined by 1,900 in February compared to expectations for a 74,200 rise.
A gauge measuring the activity level of purchasing managers in the construction industry in the U.K. is due slightly later.
Stocks on the Move
Ashtead Group PLC surged over 8% after it said its full-year profit would exceed its previous estimates.
Financials were all higher with RBS, Barclays, Lloyds, and HSBC all up between 0.8% and 1.6%.
Miners also notched up gains as Anglo American traded about a percent higher and BHP Billiton gained 0.7%.
BNP Paribas and Societe Generale both rose about 2% each while Credit Agricole SA was up 12.6%.
German utility company RWE AG was up 0.4% despite reporting its first annual loss in over 60 years. The company reaffirmed its forecast for net income in 2014.