Luxury sector bellwether Richemont jumped 16% after reporting a better-than-expected 10% increase in fiscal third-quarter sales, while France's LVMH, Kering and Christian Dior all rising. Retailers Moncler, Burberry, Swatch and Hermes also crowded around the top of the Stoxx index.

Analyst Rogerio Fujimori from Stifel Nicolaus maintained a Buy rating on Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (CFR – Research Report) and

Indexes were slightly lower Thursday. Stocks dipped after posting the best day since November on Wednesday, fueled by bank earnings and tame CPI data.

Fears of a technical recession were stoked today by figures showing the UK barely grew in November.The 0.1% rise in GDP came in short of expectations, raising the prospect of an interest rate cut next month.

Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are pointed firmly lower, following yesterday's 703-point pop, while S&P 500 Index (SPX) futures sit flat, and Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) futures manage a modest gain.

Bank of America and Morgan Stanley earnings are out. Follow along for live updates on stocks, bonds and other markets, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite.

M stock is soaring Tuesday after the industrial conglomerate beat expectations for its fourth quarter and provided a positive outlook. Here's what to know.

MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe rose 2.38 points, or 0.28%, to 849.68. Earlier, Europe's STOXX 600 index closed up 0.98%, with luxury stocks boosted after Cartier jewelry owner Richemont's results exceeded analysts' expectations.

On Wall Street, major indices declined after their biggest daily percentage gains since the November 6 rally post the US presidential election. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 68.42 points, or 0.16%, to 43,153.13; the S&P 500 dropped 12.57 points, or 0.21%, to 5,937.34; and the Nasdaq Composite lost 172.94 points, or 0.89%, to 19,338.29.

European stock markets continued their climb, with the DAX repeatedly reaching new highs this week. Performance was driven by expectations of loosening monetary policy and strong corporate quarterly earnings.

The drop in Apple shares Thursday broke a three-day winning streak for the S&P, despite big banks posting upbeat earnings.

US markets finished lower on Thursday following a mixed US retail sales report, while European luxury stocks pushed higher following strong results