Doha: European stocks closed higher today as investors assessed financial challenges after heavy selling in long-term bonds in the previous session triggered risk aversion. The European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.65 percent to 546.72 points, supported by healthcare stocks such as Roche Holdings and AstraZeneca.

According to Qatar News Agency, the index also received further support from a 1.5 percent rise in the basic resources sector, driven by higher copper prices amid growing expectations of a US interest rate cut this month.

Today’s moves followed the biggest one-day loss for the Stoxx 600 in a month on Tuesday, after a jump in bond yields fueled concerns over financial pressures in advanced economies. Meanwhile, Adidas shares jumped 4.8 percent after brokerage firm Jefferies upgraded the German sportswear brand to a buy from hold, while J.P. Morgan placed it under positive watch. The Stoxx 600 sub-index for the retail sector surged 1.5 percent.

Shares of German airline Lufthansa fell 0.4 percent after a German pilots’ union called for a strike late on Tuesday following the collapse of talks with the company over its pension system.