Richemont reported strong quarterly results, driven by festival sales, despite ongoing weak demand in China. The robust earnings lifted rival share prices, buoying the European luxury sector on Thursday.

Richemont , the owner of Cartier jewellery, on Thursday fuelled hopes of a revival for the beaten down luxury goods industry, with end-of-year sales that exceeded expectations, sending shares higher across the sector.

Richemont reported better-than-expected quarterly sales, triggering a rally in luxury stocks, after its core jewelry division bucked a downturn in demand for high-end goods.