Last checked at 
* European shares open higher
* STOXX 600 up 1.2%
Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity markets brought to you by Reuters
stocks reporters. You can share your thoughts with Joice Alves (joice.alves@thomsonreuters.com)
and Julien Ponthus (julien.ponthus@thomsonreuters.com) in London and Danilo Masoni
(danilo.masoni@thomsonreuters.com) and Stefano Rebaudo (stefano.rebaudo@thomsonreuters.com) in
Milan.
OPENING SNAPSHOT: RISK-APPETITE ON STIMULUS AND VACCINE HOPES (0742 GMT)
A fresh risk-on session is underway with investors betting on the positive impact of
stimulus plans by central banks and governments.
Also vaccine hopes are propping up risk sentiment after Sanofi and its British
peer GSK said they expected the first results on their protein-based vaccine by early
December 2020.
The STOXX 600 index is up 1.2% with travel and leisure stocks leading gains, up 2%,
along with automakers, while the bank sector, which was battered in the last few days, is up
1.8%.
Shares in Melrose are up 9.3% after the company posted higher-than-expected trading
over summer months.
Siemens Healthineers is down 4.1% after the company launched a 2.9 billion euro
capital increase.
Cautious reaction by shares in Sanofi and GSK, up 0.4 and 0.6% respectively.
(Stefano Rebaudo)
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ON THE RADAR: VACCINE HOPES AND A CAPITAL INCREASE (0633 GMT)
European stocks are set to open higher on bets government and central bank stimulus will get
economy and financial markets off the coronavirus hook quickly.
Meanwhile, Pharma companies continue their race to develop treatments against the virus.
Today Sanofi and its British peer GSK said they expected the first results on
their protein-based vaccine by early December 2020, and if the data turned out to be positive,
they plan to request regulatory approval for the product in the first half of 2021.
In other company news, with shares in Siemens Healthineers down 4.2% in early
trade after the company launched a 2.9 billion euro capital increase to finance parts of the
planned takeover of U.S. peer Varian.
On the earnings front, Capgemini expects double-digit revenue growth in 2020
driven by a gradual second-half recovery, crediting diversification for its resilience during
the coronavirus crisis.
Iliad reported a 1.8% rise in half-year revenue.
Roche said new data showed its big-selling multiple sclerosis treatment Ocrevus was
a "highly effective treatment option offering a favourable and consistent benefit risk profile".
(Stefano Rebaudo)
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MORNING CALL: STILL BETTING ON STIMULUS (0528 GMT)
European stock futures are in the black as investors keep focusing on the huge liquidity
available and on stimulus plans, hoping for a quick recovery from a pandemic-induced recession.
China helps, with signals that its economy is on its way for a significant rebound as the
Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) stayed above the 50-mark in August,
while companies hired more people for the first time since January.
In the U.S. mixed macro data with a slowing recovery in the labour market triggered
expectations that the Congress may feel the pressure to reach a deal on a new relief package.
(Stefano Rebaudo)
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