LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - European shares rose in early trade on Friday, amid growing confidence of a global economic rebound, and helped by gains overnight in Asia and the United States.
At 0709 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 0.3 percent at 951.01 points.
The European benchmark index is up more than 47 percent from its lifetime low of March 9, as investors have become more confident on the prospects of recovery.
Energy companies were among the early gainers, as crude prices remained above $70 a barrel, on global economic recovery hopes.
Total, BP, Royal Dutch Shell and StatoilHydro rose between 0.8 and 1.1 percent. Analysts say the market remains positive following France and Germany surprisingly reporting a return to growth on Thursday, and the Federal Reserve's reassuring statement on Wednesday. "There's still an ongoing reaction to Wednesday's statement from the Fed that the economy is stabilising," said Bernard McAlinden, investment strategist at NCB Stockbrokers, in Dublin.
He added that weak U.S. retail sales data on Thursday could yet "take its toll" on the market, depending on confidence data from the University of Michigan, due at 1355 GMT. (Reporting by Brian Gorman)