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May 8 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Friday as signs of
improving U.S.-China relations gave a fresh dose of optimism for
investors counting on the easing of lockdowns to spark a
recovery in global growth.
The pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX rose 0.7% by 0712 GMT.
London markets were closed for a public holiday.
Top U.S. and Chinese trade officials discussed Phase 1 trade
deal on Friday, and China said it agreed to improve the
atmosphere for its implementation. That offered some relief to investors worried about rising
tensions between the two countries after U.S. criticized
China's handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
German industrial company Siemens SIEGn.DE jumped 5.2%
after it announced cost-cut plans to deal with the impact of the
pandemic following an 18% drop in industrial profit during its
second quarter. Shares in the largest Dutch bank, ING Groep NV INGA.AS ,
gained 5.9% as it posted first-quarter pretax earnings that beat
market expectations.