European stocks push higher

Europe's main stock markets mostly rose on Tuesday following gains across most of Asia, while London was flat as British inflation rose faster than expected last month.

Around 1030 GMT, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index grew 0.5 percent and the Paris CAC 40 won 0.2 percent.

The euro climbed against the dollar while a fall in the yen pushed Japan's stock market higher, leading a Asia-wide advance, although analysts warned that worries about the world economy and earnings would temper any rally.

Most European stock markets had risen on Monday as traders reacted positively to inflation data out of China and a rebound in oil prices.

Wall Street however retreated ahead of the US corporate earnings season that is expected to show generally weaker results.

World markets have been unable to maintain their momentum after the bright run seen in March, with concern growing that central banks may be running out of tools to kick-start growth and inflation.

Official data Tuesday showed creeping inflation in Europe, with British prices rising by 0.5 percent and by 0.3 percent in Germany.

"There was some good news this morning for the Bank of England in the latest set of inflation data," said Helal Miah, investment analyst at The Share Centre.

"Prices during March increased by 0.5 percent on a year-on-year basis, up from 0.3 percent the previous month and slightly above consensus expectations... (and) sterling rose mildly on the back of these results."

All eyes are meanwhile on the latest earnings season, especially in the United States amid concerns that a number of companies may fail to meet market expectations.

Aluminium giant Alcoa kicked off the US earnings season on Monday, reporting a steep drop in first-quarter results on tumbling aluminium prices and said it was cutting up to 2,000 jobs.

Prices of industrial commodities have been in retreat owing largely to slowing demand from China.

"Concerning the US earnings season, expectations have come down substantially over the past weeks and months mainly due to slowing global growth with little change expected in the months ahead," said Markus Huber, a trader at City of London Markets.

"Because of this many are worried that sooner or later weak corporate profits will drag stocks down too as many studies are pointing out that in the long-term share prices will follow earnings."

- Key figures around 1030 GMT -

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 6,198.24 points.

Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.5 percent at 9,732.72

Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.2 percent at 4,322.22

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.5 percent at 2,938.46

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.1 percent at 15,928.79 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,023.65 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.3 percent at 20,504.44 (close)

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 17,556.41 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1419 from $1.1406 on Monday

Dollar/yen: UP at 108.27 yen from 107.94 yen