UPDATE 2-European markets ends festive week at fresh record highs

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* STOXX 600 logs third weekly gain
* Beijing in close contact with Washington on trade pact
* Export-heavy German shares advance 0.3%
* Qiagen tumbles after deciding against sale

(Updates to close)
By Medha Singh
Dec 27 (Reuters) - European stocks wrapped up a
holiday-thinned week at record highs on Friday as growing hopes
that a Sino-U.S. trade deal would be inked soon, as well as the
latest dose of upbeat China data supported prospects of an
improving global growth.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX gained about 0.2%
as investors returned from Christmas and Boxing day holiday to
comments from Beijing that it was in close contact with
Washington about their initial agreement, shortly after U.S.
President Donald Trump talked up a formal signing
ceremony. The benchmark index, up more than 24% so far in 2019, is on
course for its best year since the global financial crisis as
firming indications of a Phase 1 trade deal and hopes of a
smoother Brexit in the final month of the year.
"In 2020, we see a higher level of confidence about (the
trade deal and Brexit)," said Chris Bailey, European strategist
at Raymond James.
Adding to the upbeat mood was economic data on Friday which
showed profits at industrial firms in China rose at the fastest
pace in eight months in November. Among European sectors, financial services index .SXFP ,
industrial goods & services .SXNP , chemicals .SX4P and
health care index .SXDP notched intraday record highs.
Trade-sensitive European miners .SXPP gained 0.7% on
Friday.
The export-heavy German stock index .GDAXI climbed 0.3%
while UK's blue-chip .FTSE notched its eleventh straight
session of gains.
Even with the recent UK general election smoothing the path
for Britain's exit from the European Union, the country's
ability to strike a new trading deal with the EU in a relatively
short span of time remains a concern for some investors.
"If we can get Brexit completed in 2020, it will be positive
for European and UK equities... but that will be short-lived,"
said Simon Calton, chief executive officer of Carlton James
Group.
"When 'Brexit is done', that is not the end of Brexit, that
is just the beginning."
With no major updates expected this year either on the trade
front or on future Brexit negotiations, volumes are expected to
remain light until the first full week of January.
Investors will also look to fourth-quarter corporate
financial results due next month for clues on companies' outlook
on growth next year.
In a light day for corporate news, Qiagen QIA.DE shares
tumbled about 18%, hitting the bottom of STOXX 600 after the
genetic testing firm decided against selling the company.
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