European stocks log record close, boosted by financials, US shutdown relief

European shares logged a second consecutive record close on Wednesday, boosted by financials as investors were relieved by a potential end to a historic U.S. government shutdown and weighed a series of corporate updates.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index ended up 0.7% at 584.23 points.

France's CAC 40  gained 1%, while Spain's IBEX  added 1.4%.

Investors globally were hopeful that the U.S. House of Representatives could soon vote to end a government shutdown that had halted economic data that is crucial for policymakers.

Although concerns linger over the impact it could have had on the world's largest economy, expectations are that any signs of a weakening U.S. labour market could nudge the Federal Reserve to take a more dovish outlook on monetary policy.

Talking about U.S. shutdown relief hopes, Nick Saunders, CEO of stock trading platform Webull UK said, "that's the underlying reason for the positive sentiment...but beyond that, a lot of the rise (in European markets) has actually been earnings driven. We've seen some good reports this morning...it's these good earnings figures that are driving the markets up."