European shares close higher, buoyed by US data

LONDON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - European shares closed higher on Wednesday, with financials and automakers the major gainers, and with more evidence of economic recovery in the United States, ahead of the Federal Reserve's statement at 1915 GMT.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 1.6 percent to a provisional close of 984.40 points, more than recouping the previous session's losses.

The benchmark index has gained more than 52 percent since hitting a record low in early March.

Banks added most to the index. Societe Generale (SOGN.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) gained 4.6 percent, boosted by solid third-quarter performance at its French retail banking division and more bid speculation. [ID:nL3620732]

Barclays (BARC.L: Quote, Profile, Research), Banco Santander (SAN.MC: Quote, Profile, Research), BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), HSBC (HSBA.L: Quote, Profile, Research) and UBS (UBSN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) were up between 1.2 and 4.2 percent.

The Fed is expected to reaffirm its intention to keep U.S. interest rates at ultra-low levels for a long time to support the economy, even as signs of recovery accumulate. [ID:nN04432358]

Data from two sources helped boost sentiment on the U.S. economy. The U.S. service sector grew in October for the second consecutive month but at a slower pace than forecast. [ID:nN042167]

U.S. companies reduced jobs in October at the slowest pace in more than a year, suggesting some stabilisation in the labour market as the economy emerges from recession, a report showed.

U.S. private employers shed 203,000 jobs in October, fewer than a revised 227,000 jobs lost in September, a report by ADP Employer Services said. The September fall was originally reported at 254,000. [ID:nN04545735]