London - European shares edged higher in early trading on Tuesday, with encouraging earnings updates from several companies helping the market to hover just below a six-week high.
Norsk Hydro shares rose 2.8%, the top gainer in the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index, after the aluminium maker posted second-quarter operating earnings above expectations in spite of weaker metal prices.
Akzo Nobel was up 1.4% after the speciality chemicals and paints maker said it was on track to meet its 2015 targets. The company posted second-quarter results that were broadly in line due to tight cost control.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.1% at 1 615.50 points by 09:08 after rising to a six-week high in the previous session.