France39;s Sodexo falls after Q1 revenue miss
Swiss firm Partners Group up after brokerage upgrade
STOXX 600 at threeweek highs

Jan 7 Reuters Europe39;s STOXX 600 struggled for direction on Tuesday as rising industrials and financial services shares offset losses in healthcare stocks, with the focus on key inflation data across the continent due later in the day.

Europe39;s premier index reversed initial losses and held steady at 513.28 points, trading at its highest level in three weeks.

Financial services rose 0.9 and was amongst the top STOXX subsectors, boosted by a nearly 5 rise in Partners Group after UBS upgraded its rating on the buyout firm to buy.

Retailers gained 0.8 as UK39;s Next advanced 2.7, after the clothing retailer lifted its annual profit outlook for the fourth time in six months.

Industrial goods and services gained 0.3, boosted by a 9.8 rise in heavy machinery vehicles supplier Kion Group. The company has partnered with Nvidia and IT services provider Accenture to optimise supply chains with AI technologies.

A 4.7 jump in Volvo also aided gains.

On the downside, healthcare fell 0.4. Index heavyweight Novo Nordisk lost 2.3 and AstraZeneca was 1.2 lower.

The panEuropean benchmark had jumped nearly 1 in the last session following a report that suggested U.S. Presidentelect Donald Trump may opt for a less aggressive tariff strategy.

Trump later denied the report, adding to the uncertainty in the days leading up to the former president39;s…