European stocks tick higher as investors monitor U.S. stimulus hopes, coronavirus cases

European stocks advanced on Tuesday morning as signs of progress on fresh U.S. government stimulus efforts seemingly outweighed concerns about a burgeoning coronavirus resurgence worldwide. The pan-European Stoxx 600 added 0.5% in early trade, with construction and material stocks climbing 1% to lead gains while household goods dropped 0.5%.

European markets look set to outstrip the mixed trend set in Asia overnight, where South Korea’s Kospi led gains while Japanese and Australian stocks lagged. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday unveiled a new $1 trillion coronavirus relief plan, clearing the path for talks with Democrats in a bid to pass the bill as unemployment benefits expire. The proposal focuses on returning schools and businesses to full functioning and would see unemployment benefits slashed from $600 per week to $200 per week.

Investors will also have an eye on the upcoming meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell expected to reiterate the central bank’s dovish monetary policy stance. Gold has continued to rally to record highs, peaking at around $1,975 per ounce in the early hours of Tuesday and putting the $2,000 milestone firmly in its sights.

Concerns about another spike in coronavirus cases are likely capping sentiment, however, with new travel restrictions being imposed by various countries in Asia and Europe as surges have been reported in a number of countries which had seemingly contained the virus. More than 16.4 million cases have now been confirmed worldwide, with more than 654,000 deaths.

European stocks tick higher as investors monitor U.S. stimulus hopes, coronavirus cases, CNBC, Jul 28