Strong trading updates help European shares to three-month high

(ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development. See the bottom of the report for more details) (Adds details, updates prices)

* Pan-European index ends at highest since Jan. 6

* L'Oreal, Publicis (Paris: FR0000130577 - news) , Roche rise after positive updates

* Miners hit highest since November

By Atul Prakash and Danilo Masoni

LONDON/MILAN, April 19 (Reuters) - European shares rose to three-month highs on Tuesday, helped by a rally in commodities-related stocks and encouraging trading updates from French cosmetics firm L'Oreal and advertising group Publicis.

L'Oreal rose 5 percent as it said it would outperform the market in 2016 and forecast another year of sales and profit growth after first-quarter sales rose more than expected .

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 1.5 percent to its highest closing level since Jan. 6.

The European basic resources index rose 4.6 percent to its highest since early November, with sentiment improving after Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO.L - news) reported an 11 percent rise in first quarter iron ore shipments.

There were also supportive economic signals from China, the world's top metals consumer..

"The possibility that China is stabilising is reassuring markets after a torrid couple of months at the beginning of the year," said Lorne Baring, managing director at B Capital Wealth Management in Geneva.

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in Anglo American (LSE: AAL.L - news) , Glencore (Xetra: A1JAGV - news) and Rio Tinto rose 2.8 to 8.5 percent.

The oil and gas index also advanced, rising 1.9 percent, as oil prices rose after a strike in Kuwait cut its output almost in half.

Swedish investment firm Kinnevik rose 5.1 percent. The company proposed a SEK 5 billion ($617 million)extraordinary cash distribution to shareholders .

Advertising group Publicis gained 6.7 percent. It reported higher first-quarter revenue, helped by accounts won at the end of last year and growth at digital business Sapient .

Shares in Swiss drugmaker Roche rose 2 percent. It reiterated its full-year targets after quarterly sales growth beat analyst expectations.

Auto stocks rose 2.9 percent, making them the second biggest sectoral gainer. Parts maker Faurecia (Other OTC: FURCF - news) led the advance after positive guidance.

Today's European research round-up

ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon (see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development). In a real-time, multimedia format from 0600 London time through the 1630 closing bell, it will include the best of our market reporting, Stocks Buzz service, Eikon graphics, Reuters pictures, eye-catching research and market zeitgeist. Breaking news and dramatic market moves will continue to be alerted to all clients and we will continue to provide a short opening story and comprehensive closing reports.

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Mike Dolan, Markets Editor EMEA.

($1 = 8.1101 Swedish crowns) (Editing by Larry King and John Stonestreet)