LIVE MARKETS-DAX tops the charts, German smallcaps even better

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DAX TOPS THE CHARTS, GERMAN SMALLCAPS EVEN BETTER

German shares were the clear leaders on Tuesday in Europe ahead of a landmark Bundestag vote that will enable huge borrowing and help Europe's biggest economy stimulate growth.

So, while the broader STOXX 600 .STOXX advanced 0.7%, the blue chip DAX .GDAXI index in Frankfurt stood out by rising more than 1%, closing in on its previous record hit this month.

Small and midcap stocks, which are more exposed to swings in the domestic economy, did even better: the SDAX .SDAXI index advanced 2.7% to a fresh over 3-year peak, bringing YTD gains to near 21%, while the MDAX .MDAXI gained 2% at one point.

The FTSE 100 .FTSE in London added 0.5%.

Here is your opening snapshot:

(Danilo Masoni)

EARLIER ON LIVER MARKETS:

BEFORE THE BELL: EUROPEAN FUTURES RISE, END OF SELL SIGNAL CLICK HERE

ALL EYES ON TRUMP-PUTIN TALK, AND THEN ON CENBANK DELUGE CLICK HERE