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European stocks rise at open; Alstom surge

Europe's main stock markets rose at the start of trading on Thursday, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index up 0.37 percent to 6,699.37 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 climbed 0.55 percent to 9,597.07 points and in Paris the CAC 40 gained 0.61 percent to stand at 4,478.27 compared with the previous day's close.

French industrial giant Alstom was the star performer, surging initially by 17 percent on reports that it could be bought by US titan General Electric.

The shares later showed a gain of 13.87 percent, after Alstom said it had no knowledge of a bid.

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