World stock indices

Western European stock indices are rising during trading on Monday in anticipation of a coronavirus vaccine.

The British FTSE 100 rose 0.34%, the German DAX rose 0.8% and the French CAC 40 rose 0.65%. Italian FTSE and Spanish IBEX 35 added 0.91% and 0.78%.

British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine showed an average efficiency of 70% in intermediate tests in the UK and Brazil.

Eurozone service activity fell to 41.3 points this month from 46.9 points a month earlier. This is also the lowest value for six months. The consensus forecast by analysts was 42.5 points.

In Germany, the composite PMI fell to 52 points in November. The Service Activity Index for the current month was 46.2 points. Service activity is falling for the second month in a row, with the rate of decline having been the highest since May. The German Manufacturing Activity Index fell to 57.9 points in November.

In France, the composite PMI fell to 39.9 points in November from 47.5 points. The index in the service sector fell to 38 points compared to 46.5 points in October, the decline being recorded for the third consecutive month. Industrial PMI fell to 49.1 points from 51.3 points a month earlier.

In the UK, the composite PMI fell to 47.4 points. The Service Activity Index was 45.8 points this month. At the same time, Industrial PMI rose to 55.2 points from 53.7 points, down to 50.5 points.

Danone SA shares were down 1.3%. A French food and beverage producer announced plans to cut costs, including staff cuts. Savings will be partially reinvested to ensure growth.

Vodafone Group Plc shares are increasing by 0.6%. The British mobile operator has promised to reach zero emissions by 2040, 10 years earlier than originally planned.

The market value of RWE AG has dropped by 0.1 per cent. The German energy company has agreed to sell its 49% stake in the British wind farm Humber Gateway to Greencoat UK Wind PLC for £648 million ($860.7 million).

Aviva Plc's capitalisation increases by 2%. The British insurance company has announced the sale of its Italian joint venture Aviva Vita SpA to the banking group UBI Banca for 400 million euros.