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The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged up 0.3%, with banking stocks rising 1.6% after a report suggested that the European Central Bank could signal a lift on a ban on bank dividends next year.
Energy stocks continued to surge as crude prices extended a rally on hopes of a quick recovery in fuel demand.
Germany and the four nations of the United Kingdom unveiled plans to allow gatherings with limitations for Christmas, while France will start easing its lockdown this weekend after a sharp drop in new infections and hospitalizations.
London’s blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.4%, while France’s benchmark CAC 40 index climbed 0.4% in early trade.
In company news, Virgin Money (LON:VM) UK dropped 4.8% after the lender reported a slump in annual profit as it took a 501 million pound ($669.54 million) impairment charge against an expected surge in bad loans.
