European Shares Open Higher On Energy Boost Eye Quarterly Gains

March 28 (Reuters) - European shares inched higher at open on Thursday heading into the long Easter weekend break, on a boost from energy stocks, while the benchmark index was on course to end a second consecutive quarter in the green.

The pan-European STOXX 600 edged 0.1% up and eked out a fresh record high, as of 0823 GMT.

The benchmark index is eyeing a second straight quarter of gains, up 6.9% so far, fuelled by a rally in technology stocks on the back of artificial intelligence fervour and interest rate cut signals from major central banks.

Oil and gas shares were the biggest boost, up 0.4% as oil prices advanced following two consecutive sessions of declines.

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Among stocks, JD Sports surged 8.3% to the top of STOXX 600 as the sportswear retailer said its pre-tax profit for the year ahead was in line with its guidance.

The stock lifted the broader retail sector up 0.7%.

online casino slumped 62.5% after the French food retailer completed its financial restructuring and said a new leadership team formed around Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky was taking control.

(Reporting by Shristi Achar A in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)