Luxury stocks boost France39;s CAC 40
Elisa slumps on unexpected Q3 revenue fall
Intrum seeks US bankruptcy protection
STOXX 600 up 0.3

Oct 18 Reuters Europe39;s STOXX 600 climbed on Friday, as tech stocks made a strong comeback at the end of a bumpy week, while the European Central Bank39;s rate cut and a flurry of corporate earnings set up the main stocks index for a second straight week of gains.

The Europewide STOXX 600 index was up 0.3 at 0840 GMT, shrugging off its initial sluggishness, with the tech stocks index jumping more than 2.

That cut the weekly loss in tech stocks to 4, but it remains the worstperforming sector this week after ASML39;s weak 2025 sales forecast sparked a rout in chip stocks globally.

While the computer chip equipment maker39;s shares were up 4.4 on the day, other chip stocks such as Soitec SA and BE Semiconductor Industries were up over 3 each.

Basic resources shares also climbed more than 2, boosted by strong copper prices.

The broader luxury stocks index also rose 2 after a selloff earlier this week following LVMH39;s weak thirdquarter sales.

With LVMH and other luxury giants such as Gucciowner Kering and Hermes rising 23, France39;s main CAC 40 index outperformed regional bourses.

Switzerland39;s Richemont, too, was up 5.

Brunello Cucinelli rose 3.6 following the Italian luxury group39;s strong ninemonth revenue performance.

On the policy front, the ECB trimmed its interest rates to 3.25 on Thursday, and while President…