European shares rise ahead of key US labour data

European shares rose early on Friday, tracking Wall Street and Asia higher, and ahead of key U.S. labour data that may confirm the strength of the recovery in the world's biggest economy, according to Reuters. At 0708 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.2 percent at 1,126.04 points, after rising 0.4 percent in the previous session to its highest close in five weeks, buoyed by a report showing strong U.S. job private sector jobs creation. Stocks rose across the board, with the heavyweight banking sector among the gainers. The STOXX Europe 600 Banking Index rose 0.3 percent. "It's all about the non-farm payrolls. The market will be expecting a higher number after the ADP report," Philip Isherwood, European equities strategist at Evolution Securities, said. "It seems to me the soft patch that people thought would turn into recession is overstated."