European stocks higher awaiting US jobless claims data

European stocks were higher Thursday as markets start to hope that the coronavirus pandemic is reaching a peak.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed 1.2 percent  in early deals, with travel and leisure stocks jumping 4.5 percent to lead gains, as all sectors except telecoms traded in positive territory.

Cinema chain Cineworld gained 12 percent  in early trade to lead the Stoxx 600, while British house builder Redrow jumped 11 percent  after securing approval for the Bank of England’s coronavirus emergency financing scheme on Thursday morning.

London-listed cruise operator Carnival and British business outsourcing giant Capita both added more than 10 percent  .

At the other end of the European blue chip index, Germany’s Delivery Hero dropped percent  .