New York — World stock markets inched higher on Tuesday, lifted by gains in Europe amid sturdy corporate earnings and signs of economic strength, while US stock indexes were little changed ahead of a policy meeting of the US Federal Reserve. IHS Markit’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for the eurozone jumped to 56.7 in April from March’s 56.2, its highest level since April 2011, as demand remained strong despite rising prices. BP shares rose 2.1% after the oil major’s first-quarter profit tripled. Shares of Apple were up 0.9% in morning trading ahead of its results after the closing bell on Tuesday. Gains in Mastercard, which was up 2.2%, were offset by a 1.8% decline in Pfizer after both companies posted earnings. Robust results have helped lift share prices across the globe this year, with major US indexes at or near record levels. First-quarter profits of companies on the benchmark S&P 500 index are expected to have risen 13.6%, the strongest rise since 2011, according ...
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