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STOXX 600 up 0.5% close to record high
Europe catches Asia rally after Japan election
M&A, positive results boost index
Aerospace & defence best performing sector
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STOXX EYES FRESH RECORD, M&A MOMENTUM PROVIDES LIFT
Europe's STOXX 600 is adding 0.5%, joining the positive momentum in markets spurred by the weekend election in Japan, and keeping the index within an inch of another fresh record high.
At the top of the STOXX 600 is Inpost, surging 13.5% after a consortium led by holding company Advent and FedEx said it will buy the firm in for 7.8 billion euros ($9.2 billion) deal.
Novo Nordisk is not far behind, rising 8.3% as traders react to the weekend's news that online telehealth company Hims is to stop offering GLP-1 pill after the FDA warned of crackdown.
Unicredit is doing well after some positive results, up 4.5%. But at the bottom of the index are Natwest shares, down 3.2% after news the bank will buy Evelyn Partners for 2.7 billion pounds ($3.67 billion).
Europe's basket of bank stocks is still one of the best off, rising 1% .SX7P. But aerospace and defence names take the top spot .SXPARO, up 1.5%.
In the UK, Plus500 shares rose 6.3% after forecasting results ahead of market expectations. Premier Foods and Greggs shares were near the bottom of the index, down 4.6% and 3.3% respectively.
(Lucy Raitano)
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FOR MONDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS
JAPAN MARKETS WELCOME CHANCE OF A LONG-STAY PM CLICK HERE
EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES CATCH ASIA RALLY CLICK HERE