Oct 2 (Reuters) - European shares opened higher on Wednesday, led by energy stocks, defying a slump in Asian stocks and Wall Street after Iran's ballistic missile strike on Israel raised fears of a broader regional conflict.

The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX) , opens new tab rose 0.2% to 522.10 points, as of 0710 GMT.

The energy sector (.SXEP) , opens new tab provided the biggest boost to the index, gaining 1.7% after oil prices jumped due to rising concerns in the Middle East that could escalate, following Iran's biggest-ever military blow against Israel.

Defence companies such as Germany's Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) , opens new tab, Sweden's Saab (SAABb.ST) , opens new tab and BAE Systems (BAES.L) , opens new tab gained between 1% and 3%.

Basic Resources (.SXPP) , opens new tab rose 1.1% as copper prices gained after China's stimulus measures brightened demand prospects.

On the data-front, euro-zone unemployment data for August is set to drop at 0900 GMT. Markets will also be focussing on comments by the European Central Bank's chief economist Philip Lane, with a host of ECB board members set to speak through the day, including Vice President Luis de Guindos.

JD Sports Fashion (JD.L) , opens new tab lost 2.5% despite the British sportswear retailer beating a consensus forecast for first-half profit.

(This story has been corrected to fix the energy sector move to 1.7%, not 17%, in paragraph 3)

Sign up here.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/european-shares-buck-global-downturn-middle-east-risks-energy-stocks-gain-2024-10-02/