Capitalia, the Italian bank, advanced 1.9% after reports that Banco Santander Central Hispano of Spain was considering raising its stake, which is now 2%, to help the Italian bank in its struggle to defend itself from the bid approach by Dutch ABN Amro. Santander added 0.5%, while ABN Amro gained 0.8%. Allied Irish Banks was another stock in the sector that climbed 1.1% after S&P Equity Research lifted its target price on the stock. The mining and metals sector traded up by around 0.6%, with Anglo American shares up 2.1% and SSAB Svenskt Stal shares up 3% in Sweden. SSAB was lifted by an upgrade to outperform by Credit Suisse. Renewable Energy Corp, the Norwegian solar power systems company, bounced back from some of the previous session’s heavy losses and added 4.6%.

Decliners

In earnings news, BP, the British oil company, reported Q4 loss of 12% on output decline and costs increases. The stock declined 1.9%, while Dutch telecom group KPN also shed 0.4% as its Q4 profit plunged 32%. Another underperformer was Kemira which fell 7.2% after posting unexpectedly small gains in Q4 operating profit.

Oil and gold

Oil recovered and was trading above $59 on Tuesday on hopes that the coldest weather of the U.S. winter would increas the demand for heating oil. U.S. crude oil was up 69 cents at $59.43 a barrel in early trade in London, while Brent crude gained 65 cents to $58.75. Gold advanced in London for a second day in a row on speculation a rebound in some commodities will raise the appeal of the metal as a hedge against inflation. Gold for immediate delivery climbed $4.40, or 0.7%, to $652.85 an ounce in early trade in London.

Currencies

The euro traded lower against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday. The 13-nation currency bought $1.2928 in morning European trading, slightly up from $1.2927 in New York late Monday. The British pound advanced to $1.9629 from $1.9596 as there are expectations that the Bank of England may consider hiking the interest rates at its meeting on Thursday. The dollar was up to 120.46 Japanese yen from 120.35 yen on Monday.