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Aug 31 (Reuters) - European shares opened higher on Monday
as heavyweight oil and gas players were supported by higher
crude prices, while positive service sector data from China also
brewed optimism over an economic recovery.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.4% in early
trade, adding to mild gains from the prior week amid some
optimism over COVID-19 treatments. A British market holiday
seemed likely to keep trading volumes subdued for the day.
The European oil and gas sector .SXEP rose more than 1%,
leading gains across its peers as hopes of more global stimulus
measures and a recovery in Chinese demand propped up crude
prices. O/R
Activity in China's services sector expanded at a much
faster pace in August, official data showed, as demand across
the economy continues to recover from a coronavirus-induced
slump. Among individual movers, Suez SEVI.PA topped the STOXX 600
after larger peer Veolia VIE.PA offered to buy a 29.9% stake
in the French water and waste firm from gas and power utility
Engie ENGIE.PA for 2.9 billion euros.