European shares edge higher in the run up to ECB policy minutes

European shares inched higher at open on Thursday as investors awaited minutes of the European Central Bank's (ECB) latest meeting and the euro zone's PMI data for clues on the region's monetary policy path.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.2% by 0833 GMT, extending gains after notching a two-month high in the previous session.

Investors will keenly watch the ECB's release of the October policy meeting minutes for any cues on the central bank's interest rate trajectory.


ECB Governing Council member Joachim Nagel said in an interview on Der Spiegel that the goal has not yet been reached in terms of inflation.

Markets also kept an eye out for the euro zone composite PMI data, due at 0900 GMT, to assess the state of the economy.

Among stocks, Endesa fell 2.4% after the Spanish utility cut its 2023 outlook for profit.

Virgin Money UK slipped 0.7% on reporting a annual profit below market estimates.