12:03 PM EST, 01/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets rose Thursday as the Stoxx Europe 600 climbed 0.45%, Germany's DAX 40 nudged up 0.70%, the FTSE 100 in London advanced 0.23%, France's CAC 40 was up 0.70%, and the Swiss Market Index gained 0.61%.

The European Union is investing 500 million euros ($520 million) in 91 new projects focused on advancing Green Deal objectives to sustainably transform the EU economy and society, according to the European Research Executive Agency. The EU Horizon Europe framework program for research and innovation is funding the projects under cluster 6, "Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment."

The European Investment Bank and Allianz Global Investors' fund for climate financing, the Emerging Markets Climate Action Fund, grew to 450 million euros after a final 20 million euro contribution from the German government.

In the UK, retail footfall gained 7% in the week ending Jan. 19 compared to the prior week, according to the Office for National Statistics. On an annual basis, the retail footfall increased 3%.

Switzerland and Ukraine signed a memorandum of understanding at the World Economic Forum in Davos to enhance Swiss business involvement in Ukraine's reconstruction including a 50 million Swiss Franc ($55 million) commitment to support critical infrastructure projects.

In France, the manufacturing industry saw weaker demand for industrial products last quarter, according to the Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies. Industrial companies operating a full production capacity rebounded in January driven by "other transport equipment" manufacturing sector.

EQT's exit actively accelerated in 2024 with a total gross fund exits of 11 billion euros, 72% higher than a year before. EQT was the most active private market firm in IPOs and follow-on volumes during the year.

ThyssenKrupp's joint venture with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders got clearance for field trials to build six advanced conventional submarines as part of a $5 billion project. Commercial negotiations with the Indian defense ministry will begin next week.