European Stocks Inch Higher Despite Greece Woes

(RTTNews) - European stocks were higher Monday on the first day back from the Christmas break.

Volumes were light as many traders stayed away from their desks on a day bereft of first-tier economic data.

However, Greek stocks faltered amid political uncertainty after another failed attempt by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to get his candidate elected president.

This could lead to the dissolution of parliament and a new general election.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks inched up 0.02 percent, and is poised for a gain of above 2.3 percent in 2014.

The DAX index was up 0.05 percent today and the French CAC 40 added 0.51 percent. The UK's FTSE 100 index gained 0.36 percent.

Allianz shares were lower after the company said it was the main insurer of the AirAsia plane that disappeared over the weekend.

Volkswagen inched up 0.2 percent after its Audi brand unveiled new investment over the next five years.

Roche was flat in Zurich. The Swiss drugmaker said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its emergency ebola drug.