Major European stock markets are up today between .5% to 1%, following the lead Asia set this early morning. Trading was reported to be brisk on all major markets. Good news came from Swiss drugmaker Novartis (NYSE:NVS) as it received an approval for a blood pressure medication----which will be in demand if these market fluctuations continue.

International Power (NYSE:IPR) of the United Kingdom led the way on the FTSE index as it reported an excellent profits report and lifted its current dividend by 75%. This stock trades on the NYSE as an ADR as well as in the United Kingdom. Rising power prices were attributed to the profit surge.

On the slightly negative side, France Telecom ( FTE) was off less than 1% as they reported a slump in profits and indicated that 2007 would not bring any dividend increase. The CAC 40 however, was still positive on the day as investors were not surprised by the France Telecom report.

Traders in London are anxiously awaiting the open of the US markets today as many feel the stability of US Treasuries today, globally, will stabilize if not begin to lift the bell-weather US stock markets.

Georges Yared is the author of "Stop Losing Money Today" and "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?"