LIVE MARKETS-European shares rise after U.S. tariff plan touted

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EUROPEAN SHARES RISE AFTER U.S. TARIFF PLAN TOUTED

Most major European equity markets are trading higher on Tuesday after Bloomberg reported the Trump administration was looking to implement gradual tariff hikes, rather than sudden ones, after starting at a low level.

"The breaking of the story saw risk sentiment improve late yesterday," say strategists at Saxo Bank.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX is up 0.6%, recovering from Monday's 0.6% fall.

France's CAC 40 .FCHI is outperforming, up 1%, before a speech from PM Bayrou in parliament that is expected to outline possible concessions on pension reforms to gain support from the left to pass a budget.

Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE is lagging, little changed on the day, weighed on by BP BP.L whose shares have fallen after it flagged a weaker Q4 on a drop in production and refining margins.

The energy sector .SXEP is Europe's weakest, down 0.7%, following Monday's 1% gain on the back of a surge in crude prices LCOc1.

British retailers are also in focus after updates from Ocado and JD Sports.

The latter's shares are down 10% after a profit warning. Ocado shares are up 11.5% after Ocado Retail, a 50-50 joint venture with M&S MKS.L, reported faster sales growth.

Here's your opening snpashot:

(Samuel Indyk)

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TUESDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES JUMP, U.S. TARIFF PLANS IN FOCUS CLICK HERE

BONNE CHANCE, BAYROU CLICK HERE