European shares opened higher on Tuesday as strength in Asian shares offset a weak close on Wall Street with Marks and Spencer boosted by upbeat sales figures, Reuters reported. Japan's Nikkei closed 2.5 percent higher, its biggest one-day gain in a year, but the Dow Jones industrial average in New York lost half a percent overnight. The benchmark FTSEurofirst 300 index was 0.3 percent firmer at 1,213.9 by 0720 GMT with the narrower DJ Euro Stoxx 50 up 0.36 percent. British clothing retailer Marks and Spencer added 3.5 percent after it delivered its first set of positive sales figures in eight quarters. "Customer reaction to the autumn/winter ranges has been positive. We expect to see full-year estimate increases...but we continue to believe that achieving sustainable growth and market share in non-foods will be extremely difficult," said Bridgewell analyst Paul Deacon. Swiss drugs giant Roche gained 2.8 percent after its biotechnology unit Genentech posted bumper results in the U.S. Dutch electronics giant Philips nugded up as its LCD joint venture LG Philips LCD said it expected a year-on-year fourth quarter rebound, and despite profit falling short of forecasts. Dutch brewer Heineken was a standout faller after dealers said UBS had cut its rating to "reduce" from "neutral". On the macroeconomic front, monthly French and British trade figures are due later. Data showed a forecast-beating surge in Japanese machinery orders. And the Federal Open Market Committee publishes minutes from its September meeting after the European close.
