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Jan 10 (Reuters) - European shares firmed on Friday as
relief over a de-escalation in U.S-Iran military tensions
continued to bolster global equities.
The pan-European STOXX 600 Index .STOXX rose 0.3% by 0803
GMT, and was likely to post moderate gains after a rough start
to the week, bought about by fears of a full-blown conflict in
the Middle East.
However, easing tensions and news of an interim Sino-U.S.
trade deal had helped the regional index touch a record high on
Thursday.
Travel and leisure stocks .SXTP were the best performing
sector, led by gains in major airline stocks as oil prices
continued to decline, with focus shifting to rising U.S. crude
oil and product inventories.
Markets were also watching for December non-farm payrolls
data from the United States, due at 1330 GMT. The figure is a
key gauge of consumer strength and will help determine whether
economic expansion in the world's largest economy is chugging
along.
British fashion brand Superdry SDRY.L dropped 24% after it
flagged weak Christmas trading, and warned of a soft annual
profit.