The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) and European stocks were higher on Thursday, with all major indices gaining ground in early trading, as the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to cut interest rates in an effort to support economic growth later this afternoon.
It is widely expected the ECB will deliver another 25bp cut, taking the deposit rate down to 2.75%.
Traders will be keeping an eye on whether it keeps the door open to further policy easing as concerns over lacklustre economic growth outweigh worries about persistent inflation.
On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged in the 4.