European stocks finish week on positive note

European stocks finished the week on a positive note Friday, though losses in the financial sector were keeping a lid on gains as Danske Bank AS tumbled on news of a U.S. probe.

The Stoxx Europe 600 SXXP, closed 0.2% higher at 377.10, after Thursday’s loss of 0.2%. For the week, the pan-European gauge was so far up 1%, but down 2.7% year to date.

Europe stocks took inspiration from a largely positive session across Asia, and an upbeat one in the U.S. on Thursday, even as U.S. stocks traded in negative territory Friday after the European close on the back of a Bloomberg report indicated that President Donald Trump wanted to proceed with new import tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.

A fresh round of trade talks could take place later this month after the White House reportedly extended an invitation to Chinese officials, which had improved sentiment around trade. As well the Turkish central bank’s move to bolster its currency on Thursday also helped foster some appetite for risk.

In the U.K., Brexit was in the headlines again after Bank of England Gov. Mark Carney reportedly told Prime Minister Theresa May and her cabinet on Thursday that a no-deal exit from the European Union would cripple the country’s economy.

Japan’s Nikkei share average rallied to its highest in more than seven-months on Friday as sentiment improved on signs China and the United States make progress towards resolving their trade disputes. The Nikkei ended 1.2 percent higher to 23,094.67, the highest closing point since early February. For the week, the benchmark index jumped 3.5 percent, posting the best weekly performance in two months.

The Japanese market has been under pressure over the past few weeks as worries about global trade frictions dented sentiment, but moves by China and the United States to hold fresh talks over tariffs have brought some buyers into the markets, analysts said.