European Shares Open Higher Ahead of Services Sector Data

European stocks rose on Thursday, September 3rd amid signs of global economic recovery and hopes for further stimulus measures, with all eyes focused on domestic services sector data likely to show continued growth.

The European Stoxx600 index rose 0.8% in early trade, tracking a strong session in Asia after a survey of service sector activity growth in China showed for the fourth consecutive month in August.

Siemens Healthcare plunged 5% after the company issued new shares worth 2.73 billion euros, equivalent to $ 3.22 billion, to help finance its planned acquisition of Varian.

Shares of French pharmaceutical maker Sanofi and its British counterpart GSK rose as they began a clinical trial of a protein vaccine for Covid-19.