LIVE MARKETS-STOXX up as trade tensions ease, positive earnings roll in

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STOXX UP AS TRADE TENSIONS EASE, POSITIVE EARNINGS ROLL IN

The STOXX 600 .STOXX is adding 0.8% on Friday, with miners, aerospace names and banks leading the way as a potential easing in China-U.S. trade tensions and a raft of stellar earnings boost sentiment.

A basket of mining stocks .SXPP is up 2.3%, aerospace and defence names are up 2% and a euro zone banks basket .SX7E is up 1.9%.

But at the top of the STOXX 600 is Belgian real estate investment trust Cofinimmo COFB.BR which earlier jumped 10% to a 2-year high, after Aedifica AOO.BR launched a takeover offer with a 'significant premium'.

On the positive earnings front, Shell SHEL.L is up 3.1% and Natwest NWG.L up 2.4% after results. ING INGA.AS shares are up 5.1% after posting stronger-than-expected first-quarter profit and announcing a 2 billion euro share buyback. Danske Bank shares are up 3.6% after posting a profit beat.

European semiconductor names are rising with Infineon Technologies, Soitec, ASML, ASM and Besi up 2.5%-6%.

(Lucy Raitano)

FOR FRIDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES RISE ON EASING TRADE TENSIONS, POSITIVE EARNINGS CLICK HERE

BRIGHT SIGNS FROM BEIJING, BAD OMENS FROM APPLE CLICK HERE