Oil and mining stocks led European shares higher on Wednesday as investors shrugged off a weaker session in Asia amid rising tensions between the United States and China.

The pan-European STOXX 600 and eurozone STOXX were both up 0.5 per cent by 0845 GMT, despite declines by Asian stocks after President Donald Trump said the United States was taking a “tough stance” with China on trade.

Oil stocks rose 1.6 per cent after a drop in US crude inventories pushed crude prices higher. Mining shares climbed 1.5 per cent.

“We think it is likely that the equity market sell-off, particularly in the European time zone, will slow down or even temporarily reverse,” said RBC strategists.

“While 'trade frictions' and a perception of slowing Asian markets as a result are easy culprits, there seems to be a lot of risk priced in at this stage too,” they said.

Dutch biotech firm Galapagos soared 16.7 per cent to the top of the STOXX after positive trial results for a drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Shares in Zara owner Inditex rose 2.9 per cent to the top of Spain's IBEX after the fashion retailer said it expected profit margin growth in the second half .

Salvatore Ferragamo topped Italy's FTSE MIB with a 5.2 per cent rise. Traders cited rumours of a potential takeover. The family that controls the fashion group is not interested in selling its stake, a spokeswoman for the group said.

Hermes shares rose 2 per cent after the French handbag maker reported record first-half margins. “Hermes delivered a solid set of results... Importantly, the company noted a positive contribution to profits from strong demand in China,” Berenberg analysts wrote.

British energy provider SSE sank 8 per cent after it warned first-half profit would halve compared with last year, calling its financial performance “disappointing and regrettable”.

Centrica , another power company, fell 3.1 per cent. Hexpol shares rose 5.4 per cent after the Swedish chemicals company said it acquired US rubber compounder Kirkhill Rubber. Shares in payments processor Adyen rose 5.6 per cent after the recently listed Dutch company said it has selected data platform company Looker to help grow its business.

Broker research moved some stocks. German utility E.ON fell 2.5 per cent to the bottom of the DAX after Morgan Stanley analysts cut their target price on the stock. Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut gained 6.3 per cent after UBS analysts upgraded the stock to “neutral” from ”sell”.

“We undertook some supply chain checks and think Barry could sign new contracts soon, benefiting its volume growth in the next 12-18 months,” UBS analysts wrote.

Overall, however, analysts are lowering earnings outlooks for MSCI Europe companies, as the second-quarter earnings season ends and investor attention turns to political risk.

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