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March 13 (Reuters) - European shares opened higher to
hit another record high on Wednesday, as upbeat corporate
updates encouraged market sentiment, while investors awaited
industrial production data from the region.
The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.1%, by 8:21
GMT, following the benchmark's all-time closing high on Tuesday.
The retail index gained 3.0% and led sectoral gains,
helped by a 16.9% surge in Zalando, after the online
fashion retailer reported a fourth quarter profit beat and
announced a share buy-back program.
E.ON rose 6.0% after the operator of energy
networks raised its five-year investment target to 42 billion
euros ($45.90 billion), and provided 2024 profit guidance that
beat expectations.
Vallourec climbed 6.6%, after the steelmaker
ArcelorMittal announced acquisition of a 28.4% stake in
the France-based company for around 955 million euros to
increase its exposure in the tubular business.
On the data front, investors awaited figures on euro zone
industrial production for the month of January, due 10:00 GMT,
for more insights into the region's economic resilience and the
start of the interest rate cut cycle.
($1 = 0.9151 euros)