Europe stocks open higher in early trade

European stock markets edged higher on Wednesday morning, as investors awaited key manufacturing data and the European Central Bank’s policy decision, while trade tensions continued to cast a shadow over sentiment.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.36 per cent by 7:46 GMT. Germany’s DAX led major indexes with a 0.72 per cent gain, followed by France’s CAC 40, which rose 0.29 per cent.

Spain’s IBEX 35 added 0.28 per cent.

The UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.03 per cent, weighed down by lingering concerns over global trade, despite a temporary reprieve from US tariff hikes on British steel and aluminium. Investors also eyed earnings updates from firms including Discoverie Group PLC.

Markets remain cautious amid uncertainty surrounding the direction of trade policy and potential signals from the ECB, which meets on Thursday.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English, Investing.com
Subediting: M. S. Salama