BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European stocks edged higher on Monday,
the euro hit its strongest level since mid-June and the premium investors demand
for holding France's bonds plunged, as the prospect of French political gridlock
helped ease concerns about further strains on the country's public finances.

Also helping underpin investor sentiment, a survey showed the downturn in the
eurozone's manufacturing sector wasn't as bad as initially feared in June.

The HCOB's final euro zone manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI),
compiled by S&P Global, came in at 45.8 in June - ahead of a 45.6 preliminary
estimate.

The pan European STOXX 600 was up 0.3 percent at 512.90 after falling 0.2
percent on Friday.

The German DAX inched up 0.2 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 added 0.3 percent
while France's CAC 40 rallied 1.3 percent.

French banks BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale surged 3-4
percent as the first round of voting left Le Pen's National Rally looking short
of securing a majority in parliament.

Valneva jumped 5.2 percent. The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing
authorization for the company's chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ for individuals 18
years of age and older.

Airbus climbed nearly 2 percent after it entered into a binding term sheet
agreement with Spirit AeroSystems in relation to a potential acquisition of
major activities related to Airbus.

Nestle rose about 1 percent after reports indicated that the Swiss food giant is
anticipating stable growth with positive volume and product mix contributions
from the second quarter throughout the remainder of the year.

Mining giant Anglo American tumbled nearly 3 percent in London.

The company has suspended production at Grosvenor steelmaking coal mine in
Queensland, Australia, following an underground coal gas ignition incident.

Petrofac jumped 4.5 percent. The energy services firm said it has extended the
existing forbearance agreement with its noteholders regarding non-payment of
interest on senior secured notes from June 30 to July 25, 2024.



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