European markets higher as U.S. debt ceiling talks continue

European markets were higher Friday as U.S. debt ceiling talks boost investor sentiment. German stocks extended the previous day’s gains, with the DAX index having hit its highest point since January 2022 Thursday. The pan-European Stoxx index was up 0.5% in morning trading, with most sectors and major bourses in the green. Financial services led gains, with a 1.5% uptick, followed by mining stocks, which were up 1.3%. Traders will be keeping an eye on the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, which starts Friday, where world leaders are expected to discuss international trade and security. China and Russia relations and sanctions are on the agenda for discussions between Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and United States. Over in Asia, the Japanese market continued its winning streak, with stocks surging to their highest level since 1990 and most other Asia-Pacific markets also seeing an uptick. U.S. futures were also chipper, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq-100 all making marginal gains.