European shares tread higher on ASML, earnings boost
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ASML jumps on report of being exempted from new US trade rule
HSBC gains after $3 bln share buyback, upgrades income outlook
Airbus rises after better-than-expected Q2 results
Updated at 1600 GMT
By Pranav Kashyap and Shashwat Chauhan
July 31 (Reuters) -European shares gained on Wednesday with heavyweight ASML jumping on a report that the Dutch chip equipment manufacturer would be exempted from a new U.S. rule on foreign chip equipment exports, while a slate of positive earnings further aided gains.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX finished 0.8% higher, touching an over two-week high earlier in the session, clocking a monthly advance of over 1%.
The tech sector .SX8P led gains across the major STOXX sectors, jumping 2.6% with ASML ASML.AS surging 5.6% following a Reuters report that signalled it may be spared many of the new U.S. restrictions being considered on exports to China.
The aerospace sector .SXPARO added 1.3%, with Airbus AIR.PA climbing 4.8% after the world's largest planemaker published better than expected second quarter results.
London-listed shares of HSBC HSBA.L gained 4% after the lender announced a $3 billion share buyback and upgraded its income outlook.
Macro-data remained in focus, with a fresh reading showing euro zone inflation unexpectedly edged up in July, although a widely watched gauge of price growth in the services sector eased.
"Despite the headline re-acceleration, there are details that should be pleasing to the ECB. Services inflation has slowed from 4.1% to 4.0% YoY, which (is) a component that the ECB is very much focused on," said Janet Mui, head of market analysis at RBC Brewin Dolphin.
"Analysing all the data, there is still a high likelihood that the ECB will be cutting again at its September meeting."
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve will conclude its two-day policy meeting later in the day where investors expect the U.S. central bank to lay out groundwork for a September cut.
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee will also meet on Thursday to take a call on British borrowing costs.
Spain's benchmark equity index .IBEX bucked the trend, clocking a 1.2% decline.
Spain's BBVA BBVA.MC reported a slower net profit growth in its main market in Mexico in the second quarter, overshadowing a 38% year-on-year rise in overall profit that topped market expectations. Its shares fell over 4% as the lender will not buy back more shares until its offer for rival Sabadell finishes.
Amongst other headlining stocks, French office services and call centre company Teleperformance TEPRF.PA added 10.4% after strong first-half results that revealed improving business trends, and confirmed full-year guidance indicating the pursuit of shareholder returns.
Schneider Electric SCHN.PA rose 3.1% after the French group reported better-than-expected first-half earnings and raised its outlook.
Reporting by Pranav Kashyap and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Alexandra Hudson
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