Aug 5 - European stocks hovered near record levels on Thursday as strong earnings from Novo Nordisk and Siemens helped counter weakness in miners and banking shares which weighed on the British Blue Chip Index.
The STOXX 600 index rose 0.1% after a fresh three-day run of gains that brought it to new highs.
The Danish company Novo Nordisk rose 3.1% after it raised its full-year forecast and posted above-forecast quarterly earnings on strong sales and demand for its new weight loss drug.
Siemens climbed 3.9% as it lifted its profit guidance for the third time this year.
Retailers took a hit as German online fashion brand Zalando slid 7.2% after it said it spent more on marketing to keep its customers shopping.
Adidas also fell 3.6% after it raised its outlook for full year sales and profitability but took a hit in China.
The UK's FSTE 100 fell as Lloyds Banking Group tumbled after Goldman Sachs downgraded its stock to sell, while falling metal prices weighed on miners