Pollen hopes lead European stocks to rise

European stocks jumped today, as encouraging developments regarding a "Covid-19" vaccine stimulated speculation of a faster economic recovery around the world, even as infection rates rise, adding to the blur in the short term prospects.

The company "AstraZeneca" said that the effectiveness of its "Covid-19" vaccine, which it is developing with the University of Oxford, may reach about 90%.

But the company's shares fell 1%.

The European "STOXX 600" index rose 0.5% by 0810 GMT and reached a new high recorded in late February, while the energy and banking sectors led the early gains.

The benchmark recorded a third consecutive week of gains on Friday, following positive developments regarding a recent "Covid-19" vaccine.

The shares of the French bank "Credit Agricole" jumped 3.9% after its Italian unit launched an offer to buy the Italian bank "Credit Agricole".

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