European stock indices are turning higher, with utility and basic materials stocks rising.

Sina Finance, March 30 news, the European blue-chip stock index turned up after opening lower in the morning market. Utility and energy stocks drove the STOXX 600 index in Europe up by 0.5%, while a surge in aluminum prices helped boost metal mining stocks. Rio Tinto rose by 3.5% in the London market, while the FTSE 100 index in the UK climbed by 0.6%. Oil giants BP and Shell also provided support for the London stock market. Meanwhile, the French CAC 40 index rose slightly by 0.2%, with defense group Thales gaining 3.15%. The energy price-sensitive German DAX index remained flat after falling nearly 0.3% at the opening. The major stock indexes in Spain and Italy rose by 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. However, bank stocks remained weak, with a basket of European bank stocks falling by 0.3%.