Melexis tops BEL20 index after Q1 results
Roche bottoms Switzerland39;s market index on lower Q1 sales
Kering slumps on warning of H1 operating profit drop
STOXX 600 up 0.2

April 24 Reuters European shares rose on Wednesday as the technology subindex got a boost after ASM International39;s strong forecast, although gains were limited by a drop in banking stocks following a disappointing earnings report from Swedish lender Handelsbanken.

The pancontinent STOXX 600 index edged 0.2 higher by 0845 GMT, hovering levels seen more than a week ago, with the technology sector gaining 2.3.

Tech stocks got a boost after wafer processing equipment supplier ASM International raised its secondquarter revenue forecast, citing upbeat Chinese demand and higher sales in advanced logic and memory.

Shares of ASM International surged nearly 10 to top the Dutch index and were on track for their best day in eight months, if gains hold.

Keeping a lid on gains, the euro zone banking sector dropped 0.5, bogged down by a 10 slump in Handelsbanken after the lender reported firstquarter net profit below market expectations due to rising expenses.

Kering fell 7.9, bottoming France39;s CAC 40 index, after the luxury goods maker forecast a 40 to 45 plunge in firsthalf operating profit.

Of the 34 STOXX 600 companies that have reported firstquarter earnings, 61.8 have exceeded analyst estimates, compared with a longterm average of 54, according to LSEG data on Tuesday.

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