(Reuters) – 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 <.stoxx> index rose just 0.2%, as traders stayed away from making big bets ahead of the policy statement.
Investors will be focused 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 <.sx7p> was down 0.2%, while travel and leisure stocks <.sxtp> bounced 0.7% following steep declines in the previous session.
Norway’s Equinor
(Reporting by Shreyashi Sanyal in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva)
