Europe open: CAC near record, FTSE passes 8,000 on US retail sales

European stocks opened the day higher as France's CAC 40 sat below the summit of a a record high and Britain’s FTSE 100 passed the 8,000 mark again with cheered better-than-expected retail sales helping sentiment.

The CAC was up 0.78% to 7359.9 points, within touching distance of the 7,384.86 hit in January 2022, while the FTSE index was up 0.46% at 8035. All the good news helped lift the pan-regional Stoxx 600 index 0.53% to 466 at 0821 GMT.

US retail sales rose 3% against expectations for a 1.8% rise and despite the cost-of-living crisis.

In equity news, shares in French IT group Atos surged after the company said it had received an indicative offer from Airbus for Atos' minority stake of 29.9% in Evidian, adding that its board had decided to continue talks in view of a deal.

"Atos does not intend to grant any exclusivity to Airbus, and no assurances can be made that the parties will successfully negotiate and enter into a definitive set of agreements," Atos said in a statement.

French drinks maker Pernod Ricard shares gained as the company posted forecast-beating first-half profit and sales, helped by price increases in its key Chinese and US markets.

Banks were also in focus with Standard Chartered shares up as the Asia-focused bank reported a 28% rise in annual pretax profit and unveiled a new $1bn share buyback program.

Germany's Commerzbank also gained as net profit rose a better-than-expected 12% in the fourth quarter.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com