European shares unofficially closed at their highest level in more than three years on Wednesday, helped by solid earnings from companies like Airbus parent EADS and data showing the U.S. economy is on a firm footing. France Telecom also lent support, rising 1.6 percent after saying it would pay 6.4 billion euros in cash to buy control of Spain's third biggest mobile operator, Amena. By 1532 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of pan-European blue chips unofficially closed 0.2 percent firmer at 1,173.5 points, its highest close since June 2002, on hefty turnover of more than 3 billion shares, according to Reuters. The narrower DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index rose 0.2 percent to 3,308.9 points.
