FTSE 100 up 0.42%; DAX up 0.33%; CAC 40 up 0.01% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milan, 24 Apr - European shares opened slightly higher, rising for a third straight session after gains in Asia and on Wall Street overnight, with the Stoxx 600 index up 0.10%.

The London FTSE 100 hit new all-time highs as it rose for a sixth straight session, with hopes of a forthcoming interest rate cut from the Bank of England helping lift sentiment.

Investors continued to monitor fresh earnings reports from European companies including Orange, Air Liquide, Iberdrola, Roche, Volvo and Heathrow as the earnings season continues in full swing.

Germany's Ifo Institute's survey on business conditions and expectations for April was also on tap today.

Traders also awaited the US personal consumption expenditures price index for March - the Federal Reserve's favored inflation gauge - due on Friday for fresh hints about the state of the world's biggest economy and outlook for interest rates ahead of the next Fed policy meeting on April 30-May 1.

In European stock market dealings most sectors were mixed, with miners leading the gains as they rebounded from a two-day drop while telecoms slid.

Shares of French luxury group Kering dipped 9.15% in Paris dealings after the company warned that it expects a sharp downturn in first half profits due to waning demand for its Gucci brand.

At 0735 GMT the FTSE 100 was up 0.42% at 8,078 points, while the Frankfurt DAX was up 0.33% at 18,202 points. The Paris CAC 40 was up 0.01% at 8,106 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB was up 0.20% at 34,432 points and in Madrid the IBEX 35 was up 0.02% at 11,077 points.

AAA-Ver

(RADIOCOR) 24-04-24 09:56:34 (0240) 5 NNNN