European shares kick off new quarter with subdued gains

(Reuters) – European shares started the new quarter on a somber tone on Wednesday, as surging U.S. coronavirus cases kept optimism in check ahead of a slew of economic data.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index <.STOXX> rose 0.2% by 0718 GMT, after closing out its best quarterly gains since March 2015 in the previous session.

The German DAX <.GDAXI> gained 0.7% as data showed retail sales rose sharply in May, reflecting a rebound in private consumption after the country lifted coronavirus-inflicted restrictions.

Drugs and pesticides maker Bayer jumped 3.4%, providing the biggest boost.

German unemployment and U.S. manufacturing activity and private jobs data are all due later in the session.

A cautious tone prevailed across the global markets, as the United States on Tuesday recorded its biggest single-day spike since the pandemic began, dimming hopes that the economic pain had passed.

Swiss specialty chemicals maker Clariant gained 6.9% as it completed the $1.6 billion sale of its masterbatches unit to PolyOne Corp , allowing the payment of a special dividend amounting to $3 per share.

(Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)