European stocks inch higher after Brexit ruling

London - European stocks edged higher as the UK Supreme Court ruled that a parliamentary vote is needed to trigger the two-year countdown to Brexit.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.2% at 9:46 in London, after rising as much as 0.4% on the ruling.

The FTSE 100 Index extended gains, up 0.3% as the pound headed lower.

Miners led gains in the Stoxx 600, jumping 2.1% toward their highest level since 2014. Energy shares and insurers also advanced, while BT Group dragged telecommunications companies lower.

A rally in the Stoxx 600 has lost steam in January. After boosting equities following Donald Trump’s US election on bets of faster economic growth, investors are unwinding some of those positions as he emphasizes protectionist policies.

Among shares active on corporate news on Tuesday, BT plunged 15% after more than tripling the size of a write-down at its Italian unit.

EasyJet slid 7.6% after saying a Brexit-induced weakening in the pound and higher fuel costs will drag on earnings more than expected.

Assicurazioni Generali jumped 9.2% after a report that Intesa Sanpaolo is considering making an all-stock offer for it, a bid that analysts say is unlikely to succeed.