European stock markets rise to record highsPennpursuit3spinningreelStrong results from companies such as AB InBev and Siemens Energy have boosted sentiment.

By the close of trading in London, the Stoxx 600 index was up 0%.Pennpursuit3spinningreel.3%, rising for the fourth consecutive day. Food and beverage sectors led gains, with shares rising after AB InBev reported better-than-expected sales and sales in North America. Get into troublePennpursuit3spinningreelShares of Alstom, the train maker, soared after it said it would increase capital by about 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to improve its balance sheet. Look forward to raising the price of Siemens Energy.

However, car stocks bucked the trend, with luxury carmaker BMW saying its shares fell after rising costs hit profits.

"in the European market, blue chips continue to determine the direction," said Guillermo Hernandez Sampere, head of trading at MPPM, an asset manager.

European stock markets are up 1% so far this month.Pennpursuit3spinningreel.2%, thanks to corporate earnings and market expectations that the ECB will cut interest rates from June. The FTSE 100 index also hit a record high as commodities performed well.

The Riksbank launched an interest rate cut cycle on Wednesday, easing monetary policy for the first time in eight years. With the holiday approaching, the Stockholm stock index rose 0.5% to a record high before falling.