European stock markets advanced at the open on Thursday, as investors waited for rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, as well as for U.S. jobless-claims data later in the day.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 0.5% to 338.71, bringing it into positive territory for the week.More broadly, central banks were the highlight on Thursday. The ECB releases its latest policy decision at 12:45 p.m. in London, or 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time, followed by ECB President Mario Draghi’s press conference at 1:30 p.m. Expectations ahead of the meeting are mixed, with some economists forecasting a rate cut in response to weak inflation, while others see no action at all.
The Bank of England also meets on Thursday, although most people expect no changes to the bank’s record low interest rate of 0.5% or to its quantitative-easing program.U.S. data are also on tap, with jobless-claims figures for last week due at 1:30 p.m. London time, or 8:30 a.m. Eastern. U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index climbed 0.5% to 338.71, bringing it into positive territory for the week.More broadly, central banks were the highlight on Thursday. The ECB releases its latest policy decision at 12:45 p.m. in London, or 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time, followed by ECB President Mario Draghi’s press conference at 1:30 p.m. Expectations ahead of the meeting are mixed, with some economists forecasting a rate cut in response to weak inflation, while others see no action at all.
The Bank of England also meets on Thursday, although most people expect no changes to the bank’s record low interest rate of 0.5% or to its quantitative-easing program.U.S. data are also on tap, with jobless-claims figures for last week due at 1:30 p.m. London time, or 8:30 a.m. Eastern. U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street.