Banks, automakers drive European stocks higher, EU recovery plan awaited

(Reuters) - European shares edged higher on Wednesday as investors focused on a fresh EU stimulus plan , but renewed U.S.-China tensions over Hong Kong tempered optimism about a global economic recovery. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.3%, hovering near a 11-week high hit in the previous session, led by hard-hit banking , travel and leisure , and auto sectors.French lender BNP Paribas SA jumped 6.9%, while energy majors BP Plc and Total SA gained about 2% despite falling oil prices...