EUROPE MARKETS: European Stocks Poised For Fifth Positive Day

By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

COPENHAGEN (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets headed for a fifth straight day of gains in thin holiday trade on Tuesday, as investors waited for durable-goods orders data from the U.S.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 0.2% to 324.10, on track for the highest closing level since late November.

Germany's DAX 30 index , Italy's FTSE MIB index and several other bourses were closed for trading in recognition of Christmas Eve. Indexes in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon and Madrid close at midday.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index gained 0.5% to 6,707.71, and France's CAC 40 index put on 0.3% to 4,229.43.

Among movers in Europe, shares of Segro PLC fell 0.6% in London after the property investment firm said it completed the disposal of the Neckermann site for 46 million euros ($63 million).

Oil firms mainly rose, even as oil prices hovered around the flat line. Shares of BP PLC (BP) gained 1%, BG Group PLC added 1.2%, and Repsol SA picked up 0.5%.

Later in the day, attention turns to the U.S., where a trio of data could move the markets. Durable-goods orders data are out at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, the FHFA home-price index comes out at 9 a.m., and finally new-home sales wrap up the data releases at 10 a.m. Eastern.

U.S. stock futures pointed to a slightly higher open on Wall Street.

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