European stocks finished sharply higher, boosted by telecom and other defense stocks. Deutsche Telekom gained 2.6%, Telecom France rose 4.2%, and U.K. Vodafone Group closed up 2.7%. Utilities stocks were also strong, benefiting in part from U.S. utility NRG Energy, which rejected an $8 billion bid from rival Mirant Corp. The German DAX 30 climbed 1.3%, the French CAC 40 gained 0.7%, and London FTSE 100 rose 1.3%. |
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