LIVE MARKETS-Europe's record highs within striking distance

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EUROPE'S RECORD HIGHS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE (0609 GMT)

European stocks are less than 1% away from their August
record highs and there's some tailwind blowing from Asia this
morning.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
rose about 0.5% overnight to the highest since
late July.

In Japan, the Nikkei gained 1.8% to a five-month top,
extending a rally on hopes a new prime minister there would
bring added fiscal spending.

There's also stimulus hopes lifting morale in China where
blue chips were up 2% rose.

While the U.S. is on holiday today, Wall Street futures are
slightly up.

All in all, with European futures rising about 0.3% this
morning, the STOXX 600 will be within striking distance of its
August highs.

(Julien Ponthus)

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