Australia AiG Performance of Mfg Index increased to 53.5 in February from previous 51.5

Stocks in Europe ended the day generally higher, supported by a recovery in oil prices, which lead energy-related shares higher. Nevertheless, the German DAX closed 17 points lower at 9,495.40, weighed by poor European data, and diminishing optimism among investors, after G20 policymakers failed to come up with new measures to fight the ongoing economic slowdown.