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May 3 (Reuters) - European stocks edged higher on Monday
amid thin trading volumes due to a UK bank holiday, with
sentiment remaining positive on hopes of a quick economic
rebound and a strong earnings season.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.2% in its
first day of trading in May. The benchmark ended April with a
1.8% rise, falling just shy of its all-time highs.
Data showed German retail sales posted their biggest
year-on-year increase in March since the start of the COVID-19
pandemic as easing of lockdown measures boosted purchases of
clothes and shoes. IHS Markit's manufacturing activity reading for the euro
zone is due later in the day.
German health technology company Siemens Healthineers
SHLG.DE rose 1.9% after it raised its full-year sales and
profit forecast. Wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa SGREN.MC fell over 3.5%
as it warned it could earn less this year than previously
expected.