European shares surge

European shares hit a nine-month high on Thursday as Germany's Siemens AG and British drugmaker AstraZeneca boosted earnings euphoria, and helped offset the risk-off sentiment after hawkish Federal Reserve speakers stressed the need for more rate hikes.

The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX) was up 0.8% at 0920 GMT, extending gains for a third straight session.

Industrials (.SXNP) were the top sector performers in the index, bolstered by a 7.1% gain in Siemens (SIEGn.DE) on better-than-expected earnings and higher full-year sales outlook, reported Reuters.