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June 29 (Reuters) - European shares edged higher on Monday
as investors clung to hopes of a quicker economic recovery in
the continent even as coronavirus cases surged globally.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.2% after
opening in the red, lifted by automakers .SXAP and travel &
leisure .SXTP companies.
European markets have outperformed in the recent weeks,
helped by its relative success in reopening its economy and the
European Union's proposed 750 billion euro ($841.73 billion)
recovery fund. However, Asian markets were on a weaker footing as the
global death toll from COVID-19 reached half a million people on
Sunday, according to a Reuters tally. German scandal-hit payments company Wirecard WDIG.DE
surged 93.6% after saying it would proceed with business
activities after filing for insolvency. Austrian sensor producer AMS AMS.VI AMS.S jumped 6.6%
after Reuters reported the company is poised to get the go-ahead
from the European Union for its acquisition of German lighting
group Osram OSRn.DE .