European stocks rose in early trade on Friday as news the UK was considering an easing of travel restrictions gave airlines and hotel groups a boost.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.69% after a 3.4% rise on Thursday. All major European bourses were higher.
In the UK, retail sales volumes fell 0.9% in August from July and unchanged year on year, the Office for National Statistics said on Friday, as grocery sales were hit by more people returning to restaurants and pubs.
Analysts had forecast a 0.5% rise from July and year-on-year growth of 2.7%. Retail sales had risen 2.4% annually in July. However, August retail sales were 4.6% above pre-virus levels.
In equity news, shares in Wizz Air, TUI, British-Airways-owner IAG and InterContinental Hotels were all higher as the UK government considered easing England’s Covid-19 rules for international travel.
Germany’s Commerzbank climbed 3.9% after a Handelsblatt report said US investor Cerberus was considering taking a 15.6% state in the bank after the federal election.
