(Reuters) – European shares opened higher on Thursday, led by energy shares, while investors also awaited the European Central Bank’s interest rate decision, due later in the day.
Qatar’s main index rose 0.2% at 0711 GMT and was on track to end a three-session losing streak. Oil and gas helped the benchmark index rise 1% as the sector tracked higher crude prices. (O/R)
The European Central Bank is due to announce its interest rate decision at 1215 GMT, with the central bank expected to leave rates unchanged while signaling that its next move is still to cut rates, even if its guidance is likely to be vague and include caveats. (0#ECBWATCH)
Among individual stocks, Publicis jumped 7.7% as the French advertising group updated its guidance for organic growth after beating expectations for the second quarter.
Essity shares jumped 5.7% after the Swedish health products maker reported second-quarter core earnings that beat expectations.
ABB (ST:) shares fell 5.8% after the Swiss engineering group reported slightly better-than-expected second-quarter profit, the final set of numbers under outgoing CEO Björn Rosengren.
Shares of Finnish telecoms equipment maker Nokia fell 8.8% after reporting a 32% drop in quarterly profit.