FTSE up 0.86%; DAX up 0.42%; CAC 40 up 0.83% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 04 Jul - European shares closed higher, extending recent gains, as investors focus on political developments in the region while keeping an eye on central banks.

Sentiment was boosted by dovish minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting. The document showed that Fed officials believe in 'continued disinflation in the period ahead.' US markets are closed for Independence Day today.

Voters in the UK are heading to the polls today to select their new government with Labour's Keir Stamer looking well positioned to take prime minister Rishi Sunak's place and end a 14-year reign by the Conservative Party.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.86% at 8,241.26 points, the Frankfurt DAX added 0.42% at 18,456.95 points, the Paris CAC 40 rose 0.83% at 7,695.78 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB gained 0.77% at 34,106.01 points, and in Madrid the IBEX 35 closed 0.08% higher at 11,065.41 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 04-07-24 18:00:33 (0523) 5 NNNN