Milan - European shares edged higher in opening deals on Friday, and were set for a positive close on the month, with gainers led by car maker Renault after a rise in quarterly profits and phone group Telecom Italia on stake building news.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was up 0.2%, while the eurozone's blue-chip Euro STOXX 50 index also gained 0.2%.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 is up more than 8% so far in October, as the European Central Bank (ECB) has signalled the possibility of stronger stimulus measures.
Renault rose 5.8% after third-quarter revenue increased 9.4%, lifted by growing business with partners Nissan and Daimler, as well as sales of its own new models in a rebounding European market.
Analysts at SocGen and Nomura lifted their target prices on Renault to €101 and €107 respectively, both keeping a buy rating on the stock.
Telecom Italia rose sharply for a second day to gain more than 3% after the founder of Iliad raised a stake in the Italian telecoms group to 15%.
But British Airways owner IAG fell 4.6% despite upgrading its 2015 profit outlook after third-quarter results beat expectations.