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Nov 27 (Reuters) - European shares edged lower on Friday as
investors exercised caution ahead of a barrage of economic data
due later in the day, while doubts about the effectiveness of
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine also hit sentiment.
The pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX dipped 0.1%, with travel
and energy sectors among the biggest decliners in early trading.
The benchmark index was, however, on course for a fourth
consecutive weekly gain.
Shares of British drugmaker AstraZeneca AZN.L dropped 0.6%
as questions were raised about the results of its late-stage
vaccine study, potentially hindering chances of the shot getting
speedy U.S. and EU regulatory approvals.
AstraZeneca's chief executive said the company is likely to
run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of the
vaccine using a lower dose. Germany's blue-chip DAX .GDAXI was flat, as COVID-19
infections in the country surpassed the one million mark and the
daily death toll hit a record. Investors will focus on a survey by the European Commission
on euro zone business climate, consumer confidence and economic
sentiment data for all sectors due later in the day.