Upbeat earnings lift stocks, Greek anxiety hits euro

World stocks climbed back towards all-time highs on Tuesday as upbeat European earnings reports and expectations of a sixth straight rise in German business confidence helped offset worries about a possible Greek default. Publicis (PUBP.PA), Sky (SKYB.L), ARM Holdings (ARM.L) were all up more than 4 percent after reporting results, with the overall picture of a weaker euro and improving economic conditions - driven by the European Central Bank's bond-buying stimulus plan - drawing investment flows into equity markets. Germany's closely-watched ZEW business confidence indicator, due at 0900 GMT, was expected to confirm the brighter picture in Europe's biggest economy, with its sentiment gauge seen rising to 55.3 from 54.8 and current conditions to 56.0 from 55.1 (ECONG7). "In macro terms at least, the worst of the crisis looks like it is over for the euro zone and certainly my own 'misery indices' are looking less bad," said Neil Williams, chief economist at fund manager Hermes in London.

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