European markets buoyed by 'political intrigue'

LONDON: European stock markets and the euro climbed Monday after a fast-moving weekend of "political intrigue" in France and Germany, dealers said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared Sunday that she would seek a fourth term in elections next year in the face of looming threats at home and abroad, ending months of feverish speculation.

And the shock winner of France's rightwing presidential primary was conservative ex-premier Francois Fillon, who is tipped to face -- and beat -- far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the presidential run-off next May. Former president Nicolas Sarkozy crashed out.

"An empty economic calendar allowed some eurozone political intrigue to grip the markets this Monday, the region finally (if briefly) taking its turn in the spotlight following the more attention-grabbing moves made in the UK and US," noted Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell.

"The confirmation that Angela Merkel is set to run for a fourth term as German chancellor in next year's election, combined with a Marine Le Pen-damaging victory for Francois Fillon in the first round of France's right-wing primaries, has given life to the euro.

"The fact that this political news suggests stability in a region standing on the precipice of potential chaos has also helped out the eurozone indices," Campbell added.

So far this year, Britain chose to leave the European Union and Donald Trump swept to the White House, in shock results by disaffected voters fed up with the status quo.

"Former French President Sarkozy was knocked out of the first round primary to find the next presidential candidate, which can be viewed as another knock for the establishment," added Simon Smith, chief economist at trading firm FX Pro.

"Politics will not slip far down the agenda, with the Italian constitutional referendum approaching next week, which the prime minister has stacked his political career on."

Frankfurt stocks won 0.4 percent and Paris gained 0.5 percent in value on Monday.

London meanwhile strengthened 0.4 percent as investors eyed the British government's budget update due this Wednesday.

Milan however bucked the trend, sliding 0.4 percent as investors fretted over Italian premier Matteo Renzi's referendum due on December 4.

In Asia, Tokyo stocks rose further as the dollar consolidated gains against the yen, but other markets struggled on uncertainty over a Trump presidency.

The greenback has soared to near six-month highs against the yen since Trump's election win on a platform of huge infrastructure spending and tax cuts. Experts say this will fan inflation and force the Federal Reserve to raise rates.

The dollar's rise against the yen has been a boon for Japan's exporters as it makes their goods cheaper overseas and boosts repatriated profits.

The dollar hit 111.19 yen at one point, a level not seen in almost six months. In later European trading, the dollar went on to fall against both the yen and euro.

Oil prices advanced after Russia and Iran expressed optimism a deal can be agreed between OPEC and other major producers on cutting output later this month.

- Key figures around 1215 GMT -

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London - FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 6,804 points

Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.4 percent at 10,710

Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.5 percent at 4,525

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.4 at 3,033.50

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 18,106.02 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.1 percent at 22,357.78 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 3,218.15 (close)

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 18,867.93 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0635 from $1.0592 Friday

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 110.75 yen from 110.90 yen

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2334 from $1.2353

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP 70 cents at $46.39 per barrel

Oil - Brent North Sea: UP 70 cents at $47.56