European shares inch higher with eyes on ECB

European shares edged higher on Thursday, with investors awaiting signs of more stimulus from the European Central Bank in the face of a strong euro, although it is expected to keep its policy unchanged.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose just 0.2 per cent, as traders stayed away from making big bets ahead of the policy statement.

Investors will be focussed on commentary from ECB President Christine Lagarde, who will address a surging euro amid an economic recovery losing steam and anaemic inflation expectations.


The rate-sensitive European banks sector index was down 0.2 per cent, while travel and leisure stocks bounced 0.7 per cent following steep declines in the previous session.

Norway's Equinor rose 0.9 per cent after it agreed to sell a 50 per cent stake in two U.S. offshore wind power development projects to energy major BP for $1.1 billion. BP shares fell 1.0 per cent.