AMSTERDAM/LONDON: European stocks hit new highs on Tuesday, lifted by travel and real estate shares, but weak German industrial output data and doubts over Britain lifting restrictions later this month capped gains.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed 0.1% higher after notching a record high earlier in the session, with sectors considered more stable such as real estate and telecoms leading gains. The travel and leisure index rose 1.8%, supported largely by gains in low-cost carrier easyJet after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to "buy".

German stocks fell 0.2% after data showed industrial output fell unexpectedly in April, in a further sign that semiconductor shortages and other supply bottlenecks are hampering the recovery in Europe's largest economy.

Automakers fell 1.1% after a six-day rally that took the index close to its record peak.