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LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - European shares rose on Wednesday, boosted by some strong earnings updates and a rising tech sector after results from Apple exceeded weak expectations, while investors' focus turned to euro zone GDP figures and the U.S. Fed meeting.
Shares in iPhone supplier ams AMS.S jumped 8.1 percent after Apple AAPL.O surprised the market with solid iPhone X sales, flouncing investors' expectations for a much weaker performance. chipmakers STMicroelectronics STM.MI , Infineon IFXGn.DE , BE Semiconductor BESI.AS and ASML ASML.AS also gained 1.1 to 3.8 percent after the tech giant's results helped sentiment on the sector.
Europe's tech sector .SX8P rose 1.1 percent to a six-week high.
It helped the pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX climb 0.4 percent, reaching its highest level since Feb 5 in early deals as investors awaited GDP data for the euro zone at 0900 GMT, and the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting later in the day.
Broadly strong earnings have helped the European index rise in recent weeks.
On Wednesday British satellite firm Inmarsat ISA.L led the pack, jumping 10.9 percent after reporting stronger first-quarter revenue. in Swedish oil firm Lundin LUPE.ST rose 4.7 percent after it became the latest European oil company to beat earnings expectations, helped by higher output. online grocer Ocado OCDO.L was a top gainer, up 5.2 percent after it signed a partnership deal with Swedish grocer ICA ICAA.ST to develop its online business. results disappointments, Paddy Power Betfair PPB.L was the worst-performing on the European index, down 6.3 percent after first-quarter earnings fell. The bookmaker also announced a 500 million pound share buyback programme. stocks .SXPP gained 1.7 percent, providing the bedrock for Europe's gains as copper prices recovered on strong China factory data.