European shares climb as ECB decision looms

European shares gained ground by midday on Thursday, ahead of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) upcoming decision.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 1.27 per cent at 7:20 ET (11:20 GMT). Spain’s IBEX 35 gained 1.15 per cent, supported by the release of inflation data earlier in the day.

Germany’s DAX rose 1.14 per cent, France’s CAC 40 increased by 0.80 per cent, and Switzerland’s SMI inched up 0.39 per cent. London’s FTSE 100 also advanced, rising 0.77 per cent.

Attribution: investing.com, Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama