French diagnostics specialist BioMerieux BIOX.PA climbed 4.7% to the top of STOXX 600 after it confirmed its full-year earnings target. By Sruthi Shankar Sept 1 (Reuters) - European stocks edged closer to record highs on Wednesday as fresh signs of weakness in Asian economies were offset by hopes for more stimulus, while investors shook off concerns about rising inflation. Asian shares recovered from earlier losses after data showed factory activity across the region lost momentum in August, spurring hopes of more stimulus from central banks.