US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium and that the US and Iran are very close to reaching an agreement. European stocks generally moved higher in early trading, while declines in mining shares weighed on the UK market.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.47 points, or 0.1%, to 617.42. The UK's FTSE 100 index fell 18 points, or 0.2%, to 10,571. France's CAC 40 index gained 23 points, or 0.3%, to 8,286. Germany's DAX index rose 110 points, or 0.5%, to 24,265. Spain's IBEX 35 index added 40 points, or 0.2%, to 18,130. Italy's FTSE MIB index climbed 248 points, or 0.5%, to 48,275.

Among individual stocks, Deutsche Lufthansa said it would immediately ground dozens of aircraft and reduce capacity, with its shares rising 0.7%. Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson reported quarterly adjusted operating profit slightly below expectations, but its shares rebounded 0.4%. French train manufacturer Alstom withdrew its earnings guidance and said it would not be able to meet its profit target, sending its shares down 28.6%. Mining stocks were weaker, with Antofagasta and Anglo American falling 2.2% and 1.7%, respectively, while Glencore and Fresnillo each dropped more than 1%.

In US stock futures, DJIA futures rose 139 points, or 0.3%, to 48,906. S&P 500 futures gained 10 points, or 0.1%, to 7,087. Nasdaq 100 futures edged up 11 points to 26,498.

In Asia-Pacific markets, the Shanghai market slipped 0.1%, while the Shenzhen market rose 0.6%. Hong Kong and Taiwan markets fell 0.9%. Japan and S Korea markets declined 1.8% and 0.6%, respectively. Australia and N Zealand markets dropped 0.1% and 1.2%. Indias market was last up 0.5%, while Singapores market fell 0.2%. (fc/u)

AASTOCKS Financial News