Europe stocks rise at the open; Royal Dutch Shell lower after first dividend cut since second world war

The rally in European stocks continued on Thursday, with the Stoxx Europe 600 SXXP, +0.04% up 0.5% in early action. The gains come on optimism over medical advances to treat COVID-19 as well as growing momentum toward opening up economies.

There also was a strong showing in Asian markets, and futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average YM00, +0.07% rose 118 points. One exception was Royal Dutch Shell RDSA, -5.34%, down 2.6% as the oil giant slashed its first-quarter dividend by two-thirds, in its first reduction in 80 years.

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