LIVE MARKETS-Global M&A surges, UK most popular cross-border deal target

* European stocks climb

* Financials, tech lead

* STOXX 600 set for fifth week of gains

* FTSE 100 jumps on sterling slide after weak GDP

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of European equity

markets brought to you by Reuters stocks reporters and anchored today by Kit Rees. Reach her on

Messenger to share your thoughts on market moves: kit.rees.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net

GLOBAL M&A SURGES, UK MOST POPULAR CROSS-BORDER DEAL TARGET (0918 GMT)

It's certainly seemed, from daily moves and headlines, like dealmaking has been on the rise

this year, and now we've got the figures to back that up.

Global M&A is up 56 percent compared to the same period last year, with $1.55 trillion in

deals announced, according to the latest Thomson Reuters (Dusseldorf: TOC.DU - news) data.

Dealmaking in the energy & power sector is up 20 percent this year from the same period in

2017, while consumer products and services has seen a 34 percent decline in M&A.

Some of the most disrupted sectors have seen the biggest surge in M&A - a natural reaction

to structural pressures. Media and entertainment, consumer staples and healthcare are making

deals at a much faster pace this year.

By region, the UK has been the most popular target nation for cross-border M&A - with the

value of deals targeting UK companies up a whopping 570 percent.

Germany and Spain have enjoyed the sharpest rise in M&A overall.

(Helen Reid)

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OPENING SNAPSHOT: TECH, FINANCIALS LEAD THE WAY (0718 GMT)

Results are driving the day today and the best-performing stocks are overwhelmingly

financials and tech, which is getting a boost after strong gains in the U.S. on Amazon and

Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB - news) results.

BBVA (LSE: 931474.L - news) , Allianz (Swiss: ALV-EUR.SW - news) , and Santander are among the strongest boosts to the STOXX 600, and French

asset manager Amundi (Berlin: 350155.BE - news) is up 4.9 percent after results.

IT services and consulting firm Capgemini is gaining 5 percent after estimate-beating

results, leading the tech sector and the CAC 40.

On the negative side we've got Swedish appliances maker Electrolux sinking 10 percent after

profit lagged forecasts, and French electrical parts distributor Rexel (LSE: 0KBZ.L - news) falling 5.9 percent after

its miss.

Satellite company SES is top of the STOXX, up 12 percent after strong growth in the networks

division.

(Helen Reid)

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WHAT'S ON OUR RADAR BEFORE THE EUROPEAN OPEN (0647 GMT)

Earnings continue to dominate, and as the season gathers pace, worries over rising bond

yields and geopolitics have taken a backseat. So far around a quarter of MSCI EMU companies have

given updates, nearly 60 percent of which have either beat or met analyst expectations,

according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Earnings growth is tracking at just over 15 percent (in

dollar terms).

Banks are in the spotlight, with figures out from RBS (LSE: RBS.L - news) (beat forecasts), and Spain’s

Caixabank (Amsterdam: CB6.AS - news) , BBVA and Bankia (Amsterdam: QU8.AS - news) , all of which also beat estimates. Premarket indications sees

Caixabank and BBVA both gaining around 2 percent. The euro’s impact on results has also been a

key theme, flagged today by Daimler (IOB: 0NXX.IL - news) and Sanofi (LSE: 0O59.L - news) .

(Kit Rees)

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EARNINGS ROUND-UP (0628 GMT)

Apart from the banks mentioned below, there are quite a few other firms reporting results

today. An interesting point is further signs of strain from exchange rates in Sanofi's Q1

report, and Italy's Eni (LSE: 0N9S.L - news) becomes the latest oil major to report higher profits thanks to the

surge in crude prices.

Here are a few more headlines from earnings, with UK companies Merlin and Travis Perkins (Frankfurt: 893509 - news)

also joining the pack:

Eni sticks to guidance after Q1 profits rise on higher oil price, output

Electrolux Q1 core profit lags forecast

Spain's Bankia posts 24.5 pct fall in Q1 profit on lower trading gains

Aker Solutions (Stockholm: AKSOO.ST - news) sees higher 2018 revenues as Q1 earnings beat fcast

Madame Tussauds owner Merlin says expects London demand to recover

UK's Travis Perkins maintains full-year outlook after solid quarter

UK house prices rise more quickly in April - Nationwide

(Helen Reid)

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EUROPEAN STOCKS FUTURES CLIMB (0610 GMT)

As expected, European stocks futures have opened higher so it looks like we're going to see

a positive session today.

Here's your snapshot:

(Kit Rees)

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EARNINGS: BANKS ONCE AGAIN IN FOCUS (0554 GMT)

Banking stocks are once again in focus this morning with results out from Spain's Caixabank

and BBVA, while an update from RBS is also due.

So far in the earnings season nearly 60 percent of MSCI EMU companies have either beat or

met analyst expectations, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Earnings growth is tracking at

just over 15 percent.

In the meantime, here's a round-up of the key headlines so far this morning:

Spain's Caixabank Q1 net profit up 75 pct on lower provisions, BPI

Spain's BBVA posts 12 pct rise in Q1 y/y on Mexico and lower provisions

Airbus cuts A330 output, Q1 profit capped by engine delays

Sanofi Q1 hit by exchange rates, diabetes, growth not seen before second half

French group Essilor Q1 sales fall as Luxottica (Milan: LUX.MI - news) merger nears close

Asset manager Amundi posts higher Q1 profits

Renault (LSE: 0NQF.L - news) sales growth falters on Asia setbacks

France's Vinci (LSE: 0NQM.L - news) keeps 2018 goals, first quarter sales rise

French Q1 growth slows to 0.3 pct on weaker investment, exports

(Kit Rees)

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MORNING CALL: EUROPEAN SHARES SEEN OPENING HIGHER (0529 GMT)

Good morning. European stocks are expected to open higher this morning, according to

financial spreadbetters, with the STOXX 600 headed for its fifth week of gains in a row.

Overnight, a comeback for U.S. tech stocks helped Wall St end higher, while stocks in Asia

also advanced.

Britain's FTSE 100 is seen opening 5 points higher, Germany's DAX is expected to gain 57

points while France's CAC is seen rising 13 points, according to financial spreadbetters.

(Kit Rees)

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(Reporting by Danilo Masoni, Helen Reid, Kit Rees and Julien Ponthus)